Coast Guard presents Purple Heart to Finch family in Chatham, Massachusetts

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U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast
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Coast Guard presents Purple Heart to Finch family in Chatham, Massachusetts

Coast Guard Adm. Andy Tiongson presents Stephen and Bradley Finch with the Coast Guard Ensign, Monday, Aug, 26, 2019 in Chatham Massachusetts. The Coast Guard posthumously presented the family of Seaman Norman Finch the Purple Heart for his sacrifice on Sept. 26, 1918 while serving aboard the Tampa. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll) Bradley Finch crosses a Cape Cod bridge holding a Coast Guard Enslgn on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019 in Chatham, Massachusetts. Seaman Norman Finch searved as a crewmember aboard the Tampa, which was one of the six Coast Guard Cutters, assigned to the Navy, on convoy duty in European theater during World War I. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll) Coast Guard Base Cape Cod Honor Guard presents the colors during a Purple Heard Ceremony, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, Chatham, Massachusetts. The Coast Guard honored Seaman Norman Wood Finch who served on the Tampa during WWI and gave the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 26, 1918. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll)
Coast Guard Adm. Andy Tiongson prepares to pose for a photo with Stephen and Bradley Finch after presenting the Purple Heart on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, Chatham, Massachusetts. The Coast Guard posthumously presented the family of Seaman Norman Finch the Purple Heart for his sacrifice on Sept. 26, 1918 while serving aboard the USS Tampa. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll) Massachusetts U.S. Representative Bill Keating presented Stephen and Bradley Finch with an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, Chatham, Massachusetts. Seaman Norman Finch searved as a crewmember aboard the Tampa, which was one of the six Coast Guard Cutters, assigned to the Navy, on convoy duty in European theater during World War I. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll) U.S. Representative Bill Keating, Bradley Finch, Stephen Finch, and Adm. Andy Tiongson pose for a photo in front of a retired Coast Guard rescue boat, Monday, Aug, 26, 2019, Chatham, Massachusetts. The Coast Guard honored Seaman Norman Wood Finch who served on the Tampa during WWI and gave the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 26, 1918. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicole J. Groll)

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BOSTON — The Coast Guard First District Commander, Rear Adm. Andy Tiongson, U.S. Representative Bill Keating, local Coast Guard units and Cape Cod communities honored Seaman Norman Wood Finch, Monday. Officials presented Norman’s Great-nephews, Stephen and Bradley, with a Purple Heart for making the ultimate sacrifice during WWI. Norman Finch enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard on June 7, 1917, and served as a crew member aboard the Tampa. One of the six Coast Guard Cutters assigned to the Navy, Tampa was on convoy duty in European theater when the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine and sunk with all hands aboard on Sept. 26, 1918, in Bristol Channel, England.

In 1999, Commandant Admiral James Loy authorized the posthumous awarding of the Purple Heart Medal to the crew of USS Tampa. The Coast Guard continues to identify families who have yet to receive their ancestors’ Purple Heart. Visit the Coast Guard Historian's Office for more information.

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