Joseph W. Finch Jr.
Joseph Warren Finch Jr was born 8-Mar 1920 in Chicago Illinois. His father was Joseph Warren Finch Sr. (1883–1959) and his mother was Ida Marion Starkey 1883–unknown). According to the 1930 Federal Census, in 19030, the family lived in Chicago Illinois. Joseph was 10. By 1940, the family had moved to St. Louis and University City Missouri.
Joseph attended University City High School where he participated baseball, track, tribe president, rifle club and math club. He attended Northwestern University graduating in 1941. He was appointed an Ensign on 28-May 1941.
He then was ordered to Annapolis, trained in communication for five months, and on 13-Dec 1941, reported to the Twelfth Naval District in San Francisco. He was assigned to the USS Laffey (DD-459), a new ship in March 1942. Joseph attained the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade on 15-Jun 1942. His service number was 0107016.
The USS Laffey (DD-459) saw her first fleet action in the Battle off Cape Esperance (also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island) 11 and 12 October 1942. The destroyer operated with Admiral Scott’s cruiser group, guarding against enemy attempts to reinforce Guadalcanal.
A month after that, mid-November, saw the naval battle of Guadalcanal, in which Allied (mainly American) naval forces tried to prevent the Japanese from landing reinforcements on the island. To do this, American ships were deployed to stop the Japanese bombardment force that was coming to attack the island’s American-held airfield in preparation for the landings. The Laffey was part of the task force sent to stop the Japanese, and in the early morning of 13 November, the Americans spotted the Japanese ships. However, because it was dark, and because of communications problems, Americans were unaware that they were practically surrounded by the Japanese. A chaotic, close-quarters battle ensued.
The USS Laffey lashed out at the enemy with gunfire and torpedoes. At the height of the violent battle, an enemy battleship came slashing through the darkness and both ships headed at full speed for the same spot. The destroyer unleashed her torpedoes and, using all her fire power, machine gunned the battleship’s bridge. Suddenly, from the battleship, whose bridge she had shot away, came a salvo of 14-inch guns, swamping the crippled destroyer
Then a torpedo in her fantail put USS Laffey (DD-459) out of action. Combined with other damage she sustained, the Laffey was mortally damaged. The order to abandon ship was given, but soon her magazines exploded, and she swiftly sank, with a loss of 59 officers and men (including Lt. Comdr. Hank) and 116 wounded. Her gallant skipper and crew had made the enemy pay a fearful price of one battleship severely damaged, one cruiser and two destroyers sunk.
Lieutenant (junior grade) Finch shared posthumously in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded his ship for its outstanding performance in action against the Japanese in the southwest Pacific from 15 September until its loss.
Initially, Joseph was reported as Missing in Action. The family clung to hope they he would be found. Later it was confirmed, Joseph Warren Finch Jr.was Killed in Action 13-Nov 1942 off Guadalcanal. He was 25 and engaged to be married. Joseph was on the USS Laffey, a destroyer sunk on November 13, 1942. Joseph was eligible for the following medals and commendations:
- Purple Heart
- World War II Victory Medal
- Combat Action Ribbon
- American Campaign Medal
- Navy Presidential Unit Citation
- Navy Good Conduct Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- Navy Expeditionary Medal
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