[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 88 (Friday, June 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING LIEUTENANT JOHN FINN ON HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

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                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 12, 2009

  Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, it is with great honor I rise today to pay 
tribute to United States Navy veteran Lieutenant John Finn on his 100th 
birthday. Lt. Finn is the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient and 
the last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Japanese attack on 
Pearl Harbor. His actions in combat and life reflect bravery and 
courage of the highest level and I am proud to bring recognition to his 
accomplishments.
  John Finn was born in Los Angeles, California on July 23, 1909, and 
at the age of 17, with the permission of his mother, he enlisted in the 
United States Navy. His Navy career started aboard American gunboats 
patrolling the rivers of Inland China, and in 1940 he was assigned to 
the Naval Air Station at Kaneohe Bay in Oahu. On December 7, 1941 came 
the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, and it was this event that 
presented Lt. Finn with an opportunity to display his extraordinary 
valor.
  As the first attack on the harbor began, Lt. Finn managed to secure 
and man a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on an instruction stand on a 
completely exposed section of a parking ramp under intense enemy fire. 
Lt. Finn, with no regard for his own safety, vigorously fired upon 
Japanese aircraft with success. Although he was hit many times by enemy 
strafing fire, Lt. Finn refused to leave his post until the attack 
ended. It was only under a direct order that he left for the hospital 
to treat has 21 shrapnel and bullet wounds. However, after receiving 
medical attention, and despite a great deal of pain and difficulty 
moving, he returned to repair and rearm returning planes.
  John Finn served through the rest of World War II with great 
distinction and retired from the United States Navy in 1956. He and 
wife Alice retired to their ranch in Southern California where he 
continues to live today.
  In addition to the Medal of Honor, Finn holds the Purple Heart, Navy 
Unit Commendation, Good Conduct with 2 bars, Yangtze Service Medal, 
American Defense, American Campaign, Pacific Campaign, and the World 
War II Victory Medal.
  Madam Speaker, John Finn has never seen himself as a hero, but that's 
what he is; as his Medal of Honor inscription reads, John Finn truly 
went above and beyond the call of duty. It was his tenacity and zeal 
that embodied the American resolve that set the tone for the rest of 
the war. Men and women like John Finn are responsible for the success 
of our Armed Forces. To John Finn, we are forever grateful for your 
heroism and service. You are truly a great American hero.

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