Col Howard James Finn, USMC

Torpedo Squadron Four - A Cockpit View of World War II - Revised, Updated Edition, 2011

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Torpedo
Squadron 4:
A Cockpit
View of
World War II
(First Edition)

Fighting
Squadron 4:
The Red
Rippers

Killing-Pat-Garrett-The-Wild-Wests-Most-Famous-Lawman

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Dedicated to those who
served in VT-4, VB-4, VF-4,
VMF-124 and VMF-213

Colonel Howard James Finn, VMF-124

Howard James Finn was born in Belmond, Iowa on 10 October 1917. He enlisted in Col Howard J. Finn, VMF-124 the Marine Corps in July 1941, and was accepted for flight training. Upon graduation from Pensacola in August 1942, he was assigned to VMF-124, the first squadron to take the new Vought F4U Corsair into combat. Fighting 124 remained "Mick" Finn´s home for the duration of WWII.

The squadron arrived at Guadalcanal in February 1943. Following a hectic breaking in period, VMF-124 became increasingly proficient in the Corsair and moved up the Solomon's chain, taking the air battle to the Japanese. Finn´s first kill was a Betty bomber on 10 June 1943. The following week the Japanese made a large-scale air raid on Guadalcanal and Finn splashed a Zero and a Val dive-bomber. He achieved Ace status on 15 August 1943 when he shot down 2 more Vals attacking American shipping near Vella Lavella. His score remained at 5 when the 25-year old lieutenant completed his first tour.

In December 1944, VMF-124 went aboard the fleet carrier USS Essex as one of two Marines F4U squadrons reinforcing Air Group Four. Finn (now a captain) was one of only 5 combat experienced pilots remaining in the squadron. But his experience showed, as he downed an Oscar and damaged another during a mission to Kumagaya airfield in the Japanese home islands. (See War Diary of Two Marine Squadrons -- VMF-124 and VMF-213 Aboard the USS Essex.)

VMF-124 Pilots - Mojave Airbase

VMF-124 Pilots - "Finns Fighting Fools."
Roy W. "Hots" Huston, Casimir J. "Kazimah" Chop, Howard J. "Mick" Finn, Donald A. "Baldy" Carlson, Mojave Airbase. Carlson became a POW on February 25, 1945. He was liberated 6 months later.

VMF-124 Pilots - USS Essex

VMF-124/213 Pilots -- Taken aboard the Essex.
Standing: William A. Millington, Edmond P. Hartsock, William E. Crowe, Howard J. Finn. Kneeling: Alfred H. Agan, L. L. Clark, Wilbur J. Thomas, William J. Bedford (left to right).

During the Korean War, Finn flew with VMF-124 during 1950-51: his second war in Corsair cockpits. Subsequent assignments included Allied Air Forces southern Europe from 1952-1954, command of Marine Air Group 24 at Cherry Point, NC from January 1965 to July 1966 and a tour with the First Marine Air Division in Vietnam in 1967-68. He retired as a full colonel in 1969. He obtained a masters degree from Millersville State College in Pennsylvania and took up teaching electronics. He fully retired in January 1983.

Tally Record: 6 confirmed, 3 probable, 1/2 damaged.

Decorations: 9 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 21 Air Medals, Purple Heart.

Decorations - VMF-124, Mojave

Capt William J. Bedford, Louis R. Smunk, Capt Edmond P. Hartsock, Capt Howard J. Finn, others unidentified. Receiving decorations at regimental parade, Mojave Airbase.