Pearl Harbor Salute

At 7:48am, on December 7^th, 1941, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Empire of Japan.  That morning our nation saw the strength and resolve of our military and civilians; true honor, courage, and valor.  There were many heroes that day, whose actions must never be forgotten. 

Throughout our country, in every state and each community, there are still WWII Vets living among us.  Help me honor them by showing our thanks and respect.  Take a moment today to honor a WWII Veteran.  If you know of one in your community, take a few minutes out of your day to say “thank you”.  God Bless America.

There were many heroic actions at Pearl Harbor on December 7^th, 1941.  Among the many heroes, there were fifteen that received the Medal of Honor. 

John W. Finn, was the last survivor of the 15 Navy men who received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor.  He died May 27^th, 2010.  He was 100 and had been the oldest living recipient of the medal, the nation’s highest award for valor.

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Entered service at: California. Born: 24 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif.

Medal of Honor Citation:

For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lt. Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machinegun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machinegun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy’s fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.