Free Republic

The commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer John Finn was relieved of command Friday. Cmdr. Angela Gonzales was relieved “due to a loss of confidence in her ability to fulfill her responsibilities in leading the ship,” according to a brief Navy statement issued Saturday. As is the case with nearly every Navy CO firing, no other information was provided regarding the reasons for Gonzales being relieved of command. John Finn is assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan. Cmdr. Matthew Hays has assumed interim commanding officer duties, and Gonzales has been reassigned to Naval Surface Force Pacific. US Navy...

SAN DIEGO – Retired Navy Lt. John Finn, the oldest Medal of Honor recipient from World War II, died Thursday at his Southern California ranch. He was 100. Finn enlisted in the Navy just before his 17th birthday and went on to become the first man to receive the nation's highest military award for heroism during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, according to a Navy statement. He was the oldest of 97 Medal of Honor recipients still living. Despite head wounds and other injuries, Finn, the chief of ordnance for an air squadron, continuously fired...

Washington DC – Medal of Honor recipient and East County San Diego resident John Finn died today at the age of 100. Finn received the Medal of Honor for actions during Pearl Harbor and was recognized as the oldest living recipient of our nation’s highest military honor. “This is a sad day for our nation and the San Diego community,” said Congressman Hunter. “John was humble, never considering himself much of a hero but, to everyone else, he was part of a special class of American heroes who will forever be remembered for their service and sacrifice. His story will...