World War II Honoree

Alexander J. Finch

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Highlands, New Jersey

Honored By

Assemblyman Sam Thompson

SERVED AS TECHNICIAN 5TH GRADE WITH THE 574TH AND 595TH SIGNAL AIRCRAFT WARNING BATTALIONS. TRAINED AT EASTERN SIGNAL CORPS SCHOOL AT CAMP WOOD, NEW JERSEY AND KEYSTONE RADIO SCHOOL AT HOLLIDAYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA. SERVED AS A RADIO OPERATOR AND TRUCK DRIVER IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AND THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, ON NEW GUINEA IN THE TOWNS OF ORO BAY, HOLLANDIA AND FINCHAVEN WHICH WAS THE COLGATE PALMOLIVE COMPANY'S COCONUT PLANTATION, WHERE YOU ALWAYS HAD TO WEAR A HARD HAT TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FALLING COCONUTS. ALSO SERVED IN THE PALAWAN ISLANDS AND LEYTE IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. FLEW TO TACLOBAN ON LEYTE FROM BIAK ISLAND. HAD EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF CODING AND DECODING MESSAGES. AWARDED THE AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, ASIATIC-PACIFIC RIBBON, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL AND VICTORY MEDAL. SERVED FROM DECEMBER 3, 1942 TO JANUARY 10, 1946.