The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel John Stewart Finlay, III (AFSN: 0-80268), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 6 March 1968. On that date, Colonel Finlay struck a heavily defended hostile storage area at the request of a forward air controller. Although receiving heavy anti-aircraft reaction, Colonel Finlay made multiple attacks, placing his ordnance on target and destroying a major portion of stockpiled trucks and ammunition. His courageous and skillful application of tactical airpower contributed significantly to the allied effort to stem the flow of supplies to the south. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Finlay reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel John Stewart Finlay, III (AFSN: 0-80268), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 26 April 1968. On that date, Colonel Finlay was flight leader of two F-4D’s escorting a C-130 cargo aircraft into the A Shau Valley. At great risk to himself, Colonel Finlay descended into the cloud shrouded mountain valley to assist the C-130 which was struck by anti-aircraft fire and subsequently crashed. To assist in rescue efforts, Colonel Finlay remained at extremely low altitude in the face of continuous hostile fire until a low fuel state forced his withdrawal. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Finlay reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 28, 1968 – March 14, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel John Stewart Finlay, III (AFSN: 0-80268), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 28, 1968 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
February 1, 1970 – September 21, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Lieutenant Colonel John Stewart Finlay, III (AFSN: 0-80268), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period 1 February 1970 to 21 September 1972. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
April 1968 – April 1971
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel John Stewart Finlay, III (AFSN: 0-80268), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from April 1968 to April 1971. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 5 – 15, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel John Stewart Finlay, III (AFSN: 0-80268), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 5 to 15 May 1968, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Finlay resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
366th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
DaNang Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
April 28, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel John Stewart Finlay, III (AFSN: 0-80268), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Flight Leader of three F-4Ds in the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action in Southeast Asia, on 28 April 1968. On that date, Colonel Finlay was directed against a heavily defended target in support of interdiction operations. To insure exact placement of his special ordnance, Colonel Finlay courageously flew his aircraft just above the low overcast, placing himself well within the capabilities of the many anti-aircraft artillery pieces defending this target. Imbued with the desire to complete his mission successfully, and with complete disregard for personal safety, Colonel Finlay made two attacks on the target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Finlay has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.