By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun

Above, John Finn as a young Naval Officer. Below, Finn, now 99, smiles as he is honored on Veterans Day at the Golden Acorn Casino. Many local veterans paid their quiet respects to Finn with handshakes and hugs.

     PINE VALLEY — John William Finn was only 17 years old when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. A career Navy man, Finn served his country for 30 years, earning him many accolades, including the Medal of Honor.
     Finn joined the Navy in July 1926. By Dec. 7, 1941, he had risen to the rank of chief petty officer and was stationed at Pearl Harbor. He was sleeping when the attack started. Finn can still recite the names of the men who served with him that fateful morning.
     When the raid on Pearl Harbor began, he ran out, grabbed a machine gun and began to shoot. He didn’t stop shooting at planes despite being hit by shrapnel in 21 places. His left arm was numb, and a bullet passed through his foot. Finn kept shooting.
     It was only after being ordered to seek medical attention that Finn left the gun post. Following treatment and in much pain, moving with great difficulty he returned to the squadron and actively supervised the re-arming of returning planes.
     “I wasn’t a bit surprised at the audacity and daring and bravery of the Japanese,” Finn said. “They did a wonderful job militarily. You won’t hear many military people brag about them.”
     After Pearl Harbor Finn was promoted to an Ensign and while aboard the USS Hancock CV-19 became a Lieutenant with the bombing squadron VB-102. Lieutenant Finn retired from the Navy in Septem-ber 1956.
     John married his wife Alice in 1932, and later the two made their home in Pine Valley, near the Campo reservation. He remained in Pine Valley after the death of his wife in 1998.
     In addition to the Medal of Honor, Mr. Finn’s decorations include; the Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal with two Bronze Stars, American Campaign and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals.
     Mr. Finn at age 99 is the oldest living recipient of the Medal of Honor and the last living Medal of Honor recipient from Pearl Harbor.