World War II Honoree

Robert Paul Finch

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Payson, Utah

Honored By

Marianne Tranter

Relationship

Niece

HE WAS PART OF THE 25TH INFANTRY DIVISION, LANDING ON LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, IN FEBRUARY, 1945 TO SECURE THE FLANK OF THE SIXTH ARMY IN THEIR DRIVE TO MANILA. HE WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED WHEN A JAPANESE GRENADE WAS THROWN INTO HIS FOXHOLE. ALL OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS SQUAD WERE KILLED AS THE JAPANESE OVER-RAN THEIR POSITION. HE SURVIVED GANGRENE, THE LOSS OF HIS THUMB, AND EXTENSIVE SHRAPNEL WOUNDS OVER 80% OF HIS BODY. AMONG THE MEDALS HE RECEIVED IS THE PURPLE HEART.