Finley William F.

Name:

William F. Finley

Rank:

Sergeant

Serial Number:

35782572

Unit:

39th Infantry Regiment

Date of Death:

1945-04-01

State:

Illinois

Cemetery:

Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands

Plot:

Block A

Row:

14

Grave:

18

Decoration:

Bronze Star medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Silver Star, Purple Heart

Comments:

William F. Finley was born on June 5, 1924, in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. He was the son of John F. Finley and Irene C. Smith Finley. Before entering the service, he was employed at the Victory Ordnance Plant. He enlisted in the service on November 18, 1942. He served in the 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, as a Sergeant during World War II. Sgt Finley served in almost all European theaters and was wounded during the Sicily campaign for which he received a Purple Heart. He returned to the United Kingdom and participated in the Normandy landings and liberation of Western Europe. Sgt Finley died of wounds inflicted in Germany on April 1, 1945, a few weeks before the end of the war. Sgt Finley was buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Eijsden-Margraten Municipality, Limburg, Netherlands, and was awarded the Silver Star, and Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster Posthumously.

Silver Star Citation:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant William F. Finley (ASN: 35782572), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 9th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 12 December 1944, in the vicinity of Derichweiler, Germany. While accompanying his company commander on a reconnaissance mission, Sergeant Finley was subjected to intense enemy machine pistol fire. Working his way around to the front of the house, he then crawled across the roof of a barn despite the fact that he was exposed to the direct observation and fire of the enemy located in the shed of the barn. Opening fire on the shed with his rifle, he then jumped from the roof top and raced to the window of the shed. He threw two hand grenades inside the building and killed two enemy soldiers, neutralizing a mortar observation post. 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, his unit, and the United States Army.

Source of information: www.honorstates.org