This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Finney, Carl Edwin, LTJG.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Eldon. MT
Last Address Laurel, MT
Casualty Date Aug 24, 1944
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
The USS Harder (SS-257) began her 6th War Patrol on August 5th, 1944 and formed a "wolfpack" with four other submarines. She sank two merchant ships before her final attack on August 24th. While the Hake escaped sinking, a depth charge attack sunk the Harder with all hands. Lieutenant Junior Grade Finney was listed as Missing in Action and later declared dead 2 October 1945.
Comments/Citation:
Service numbers: Enlisted - 3209245 Officer - 356553
Silver Star
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Harder (SS-257)
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 336 (March 1945)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Carl Edwin Finney (NSN: 0-356553), United States Navy, for gallantry in action while serving aboard a United States Submarine during war patrols in enemy-controlled waters during World War II. While serving aboard the U.S.S. HARDER (SS-257) during an aggressive and highly successful war patrol in Japanese-controlled waters, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Finney performed his duties skillfully and with determination under extremely hazardous battle conditions. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and 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".
