Courtesy Photo | Chief Petty Officer (AW/SW) Victor Almodovar, aviation ordnanceman (left), assists...... read more read more
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower - Officers and chiefs from the weapons department of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower recently joined with ordnancemen around the world to honor a Medal of Honor recipient.
Shortly after yesterday's sunrise, Eisenhower Sailors raised an American flag to honor John Finn, who was awarded the medal for his extraordinary bravery during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Finn, a chief aviation ordnanceman, was the first service member awarded the MoH and is the oldest living MoH recipient. He is also the only aviation ordnanceman to be awarded the MoH.
Eisenhower's Air Gunner, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Robert Clift, said Finn has become an iconic figure within the aviation ordnance rate.
"We all gathered together during flight operations today to honor a man that we respect very highly," said Finn. "Aviation ordnancemen look up to this man for his accomplishments and for his leadership within his rate and his community."
The flag that was raised on Eisenhower yesterday has already been flown at sea aboard USS George Washington, USS John C. Stennis and USS Ronald Reagan. It will continue making its way from one destination to the next until it is finally presented to Finn on his 100th birthday, July 23.
"The flag is making its way from the west coast carriers to the East," said Lt. Sterling Stedman, Eisenhower's Ordnance Handling officer. "Along with the flag, we will send pictures of it being hoisted and flown, and a signed certificate from every U.S. carrier to Finn on his birthday."
When Clift had an opportunity to meet Finn near his home in Lemoore, Calif., in 1995, he was impressed by his Finn's character.
"He was a quiet and observant man, but when he started to speak, it would amaze you," said Clift. "Many of us have only heard or read about what it was like in the trenches during WWII, but when you speak to someone who was actually there, they can paint such a vivid picture of the scene that you can only listen in awe."
Stedman said that today's Sailors can learn from Finn's life and leadership.
"John Finn has always been a man of action," said Stedman. "One lesson we can learn from his life is to not be afraid to set goals and go for them."
Finn's official MoH citation states: "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, Dec. 7, 1941, Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machine gun strafing fire.
Although painfully wounded many times, Finn 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."
Adm. Chester Nimitz awarded the MoH to Finn Sept. 15, 1942, aboard USS Enterprise. Finn enlisted in the Navy in 1926 and retired in 1956 at the rank of lieutenant.
The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support Operation Enduring Freedom, maritime operations and operate in international waters across the globe.
| Date Taken: | 06.24.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2009 06:48 |
| Story ID: | 35557 |
| Location: | ABOARD USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 508 |
| Downloads: | 335 |
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