.. Captain
John (Jack) Lawrence Finley
USN
December 22, 1935 / September 19, 2006
BURIED AT SEA

Born in Winchester, Mass. He graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1953 and entered the Naval Academy, graduating in 1957 with a BS.  Captain Finley entered Flight Training in Pensacola, FL and was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1958. Captain's Finley's first assignment was with Air Training Unit 203, at Naval Air Station Chase Field, Texas. Assignments have included VF-51, CVW-5 Staff as Air Wing Landing Safety Officer, Test Pilot and Aerospace Pilot Training at the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot's School at Edwards Air Force Base, California where he was retained as an instructor until his selection for the Manned Orbital Laboratory Program (MOLP), as one of the Original Seven Astronauts in that program.

With MOLP, Captain Finley was VF-111 Operations Officer, VX-4 Maintenance/Projects Officer, VF-51 as Executive and Commanding Officer, Office of Legislative Affairs, and Commander Carrier Air Wing Five. Reassigned at his own request to operational flying duty with the Navy before the end of the Manned Orbital Laboratory program. During his career, he earned several meritorious awards including multiple Distinguished Flying Crosses, Strike Flight Air Medals and Navy Commendation Medals for action in combat during the Viet Nam War. He retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain in May 1980. Captain Finley has amassed over 1000 Carrier Landings.

Captain Finley assumed Command of USS KAWISHIWI AO-146 on 16, April 1977. 

Captain Finley was married to the former Florence Herlihy of Orangeburg, South Carolina. They later divorced. Following his naval career, Finley spent 15 years with Federal Express Corporation achieving the level of Vice President Aircraft Line Operations, six years as Executive Vice President at Intrepid Aviation Partners, and two years as COO/CEO Dee Howard Aircraft Maintenance. John L. Finley, former MOL astronaut, died on September 19, 2006 in Memphis, Tennessee of complications of extended battle with diabetes . He is survived by his two daughters, Vicky Baker of Atlanta, GA and Cindy Finley Webster; and her two sons, Nick Finley and Jake Finley of Coronado, CA; and his fiancee', Patty Kowalczyk of Bartlett, TN. At Finley's request, there will be no memorial services. These requirements will be handled at sea in the Pacific under the USN's Burial at Sea Program. Anyone desiring to make Remembrances or Donations, please do so to the charity of your choice. See:  Memphis Commercial Appeal
 
Memories
So sad to hear of the passing of my former skipper, I know Capt. Finley well, I was aboard the special "K" when he took over command, I left the ship in Oct of 78. He was a good man, he liked my wife's chicken adobo. We golfed in Guam, P.I. And he took all the 1st class out to dinner while we were in Hong Kong. Hard to believe. Shipmate Arlan Thuringer.

Capt."Jack" was a great CO. I have fond memories of my time serving under him. Dan Seitsinger 76-77