MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Out of the smoke, destruction and pain caused by the attacks on Hawaii, December 7, 1941, came heroes that risked and gave their lives in defense of the country. One hero, who valiantly risked his life to defend Naval Air Station Kaneohe, was Lieutenant John Finn.
Finn served as the aviation ordnance chief for the PBY squadrons at the station. The morning of Dec. 7, Finn was lying in bed when he was startled at the sound of gunfire. As he made his way to the hangar where he worked, he noticed that the non-American planes were attacking the base.
He mounted a .50 caliber machine gun used for training and set up a defense position to begin firing at the Japanese planes that were destroying the base.
Lt. Finn shot down the only Japanese plane to crash on land during the attack, the plane of Japanese pilot, Lt. Fusata Iida.
During the intense fighting that would take place during the attack, Finn was wounded by shrapnel several times. He was instructed to report to sick bay to be treated for his injuries, however he did not stay long.
During the period after the attacks, Finn supervised the repair of many of the damaged weapons used in the battle.
For his superior bravery and meritorious actions, Lt. Finn was awarded the Medal of Honor by the President of the United States. In June of 1999, the John W. Finn Building aboard MCB Hawaii, was dedicated in his name to honor him always as a hero.