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Ruth Linnemeier-Family
to remember
Finrow, John Henry, LT.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Spokane, WA
Last Address Spokane, WA
Casualty Date Oct 25, 1944
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - Manila, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
John Finrow enlisted in the Navy on March 13, 1941 and was first stationed at the Naval Reserve Aviation Base in Seattle, WA. At that time he was a S2c. He was then sent to NAS Jacksonville, FL for flight training after which he received his aviator wings and was commissioned as an Ensign.
LT Finrow was a member of Bombing Squadron 13 (VB-13) stationed aboard the USS Franklin (CV-13). On October 25, 1944 his plane was shot down during combat. His body was not recovered. He was listed as missing in action and later declared dead.
Comments/Citation:
Service numbers: Enlisted - 5100558 Officer - 112310
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Battalion: Bombing Squadron 13 (VB-13)
Division: U.S.S. Franklin (CV-13)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant John Henry Finrow (NSN: 0-112310), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scout Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron THIRTEEN (VB-13), attached to the U.S.S. FRANKLIN (CV-13), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Sibuyan Sea during the Air Battle of Leyte Gulf on 24 October 1944. Lieutenant Finrow fought his plane boldly and with relentless determination despite accurate and intense anti-aircraft fire during a brilliantly executed attack on the Japanese battleship MUSASHI, making a direct hit which caused serious damage. By his superb flying ability, indomitable fighting spirit and cool courage, maintained at great personal risk, Lieutenant Finrow contributed immeasurably to the extensive and costly damage inflicted on the Japanese fleet in this vital war area. His conduct throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Western Caroline Islands Operation/Battle of Peleliu
From Month/Year
September / 1944
To Month/Year
October / 1944
Description The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, was fought between the United States and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater of World War II, from September–November 1944 on the island of Peleliu, present-day Palau. U.S. Marines of the First Marine Division and later soldiers of the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division, fought to capture an airstrip on the small coral island. This battle was part of a larger offensive campaign known as Operation Forager which ran from June–November 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Major General William Rupertus, USMC—commander of 1st Marine Division—predicted the island would be secured within four days. However, due to Japan's well-crafted fortifications and stiff resistance, the battle lasted over two months. In the United States, it was a controversial battle because of the island's questionable strategic value and the high casualty rate, which exceeded all other amphibious operations during the Pacific War. The National Museum of the Marine Corps called it "the bitterest battle of the war for the Marines".
