This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Ken Borchik, AVCM
to remember
Finn, John William (MOH), LT USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Compton, CA
Last Address Chula Vista CA
Date of Passing May 27, 2010
Location of Interment Campo Indian Reservation Cemetery - Campo, California
Born on 23 July 1909, in Compton, California, Finn dropped out of school after the seventh grade. He enlisted in the Navy in July 1926, shortly before his seventeenth birthday, and completed recruit training in San Diego. After a brief stint with a ceremonial guard company, he attended General Aviation Utilities Training at Naval Station Great Lakes, graduating in December. By April 1927 he was back in the San Diego area, having been assigned to Naval Air Station North Island. He initially worked in aircraft repair before becoming an aviation ordnanceman and working on anti-aircraft guns. He then served on a series of ships: the USS Lexington (CV-2), the USS Houston (CA-30), the USS Jason (AC-12), the USS Saratoga (CV-3), and the USS Cincinnati (CL-6). After being promoted to Chief Petty Officer around 1936, he served with patrol squadrons in San Diego, Washington, and Panama.