Seaman Norman Wood Finch made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I on Sept. 26, 1918, when the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa was torpedoed by a German submarine. This week, Finch's great-nephews received the Purple Heart in his honor.
Stephen and Bradley Finch received a Purple Heart from Coast Guard First District Commander, Rear Adm. Andy Tiongson and U.S. Representative Bill Keating.
Norman Finch enlisted in the Coast Guard on June 7, 1917. The Cutter he served on, Tampa, was one of only six Coast Guard Cutters assigned to the Navy at the time. The vessel was in Bristol Channel, England when it was sunk with all hands on board.
Commandant Admiral James Loy authorized the posthumous awarding of the Purple Heart Medal to the entire crew of the USS Tampa. Family members are being identified by the Coast Guard and Purple Hearts are awarded as those family members are found.
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Purple heart from WWI given to family of Coast Guard veteran 1
DVIDSPurple heart from WWI given to family of Coast Guard veteran 2
DVIDSPurple heart from WWI given to family of Coast Guard veteran 3
DVIDSPurple heart from WWI given to family of Coast Guard veteran 4
DVIDSPurple heart from WWI given to family of Coast Guard veteran 5
DVIDSPurple heart from WWI given to family of Coast Guard veteran 6
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