Harold L. Finney
Sergeant, U.S. Army

On 22 November 1944, Sergeant Harold L. Finney was serving as a Squad Leader with the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

[The grave marker for SGT Finney lists him as serving with the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division. That is incorrect. The 5th Infantry Division fought in the European Theater of Operations - not the Pacific Theater of Operations. The 5th Cavalry Regiment served with the 1st Cavalry Division in the Pacific Theater of Operations.]

On that day, SGT Finney’s unit was in action against Japanese forces near Kamansi, Leyte, Philippine Islands during the Battle of Leyte. When SGT Finney’s cavalry patrol met strong enemy resistance in rugged terrain, he was ordered to move his men, reinforced by light machine guns, to the right flank of the main body of troops in order to deliver enfilade fire on the Japanese. While moving to the new position, the squad was forced to cross open terrain and was pinned to the ground by a heavy concentration of fire. Knowing the danger of remaining in this position, SGT Finney ordered his men to deploy while he remained to cover their withdrawal, which enabled his troops to reach cover safely and then complete their mission. SGT Finney's selfless efforts on their behalf drew intense Japanese fire that killed him. In giving his life for his men, he made possible the advance of his patrol. SGT Finney’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Harold L. Finney (ASN: 18006722), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces near Kamansi, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 22 November 1944. When a cavalry patrol encountered strong enemy resistance in rugged terrain, Sergeant Finney, a squad leader, was ordered to move his men, reinforced by light machine guns, to the right flank of the main body of troops in order to deliver enfilade fire on the enemy. While proceeding to the new position the squad was forced to cross open terrain. Here they were pinned to the ground by a heavy concentration of fire. Realizing the extreme danger of remaining in this position, Sergeant Finney ordered his men to deploy, while he remained to cover their withdrawal. This maneuver enabled his troops to reach cover safely and thereafter to complete their mission, but the efforts of Sergeant Finney in their behalf drew intense fire in which he was killed. Through outstanding heroism in giving his life for his men, he made possible the advance of his patrol. Sergeant Finney's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 131 (June 5, 1945)

Burial

Sergeant Harold L. Finney is buried at Van Alstyne Cemetery in Van Alstyne, Grayson County, TX.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10602362