Patrick David Finton

Born in Syracuse, Indiana, Captain Patrick Finton was a career Marine. He led a colorful career as a Marine enlisted man. After serving a short stint with the Indiana National Guard, he began his Marine enlistment in recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and infantry training at Camp Pendleton, California. From there, he was assigned to Camp Fuji, Japan, for OJT with Company “A” 3rd Engineer Battalion. This was to the first of four tours in Japan.

One of his most memorable tours was a two-month assignment at Tampico, Mexico in 1955. He was there to build water supply points, during disaster relief operations. During his third tour in Japan, he met Chieko Sakae, and they were married at the American Consulate in Yokohama during January of 1958.

The turning point in his career was during his assignment to the Republic of Vietnam. The then Staff Sergeant Finton was attached as an engineer to Company Lima 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, where he showed exemplary knowledge and valor, especially noteworthy during Operations Starlight, Piranha, Triple Play, and Blue Marlin. During one operation, he was wounded, but refused to be evacuated. He continued to supervise the demolition of a large network of Viet Cong tunnels and bunkers. It was this, and many other actions which led to his receiving the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Combat “V” and an even higher honor, in August of 1967, to become one of the first Marines to receive a battlefield commission since World War II. He was promoted from Gunnery Sergeant to Second Lieutenant.

He completed his 26 year career at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station in Hawaii in December of 1978. From there, he began his 19 year career with the Maricopa Highway Department, retiring as the Chief Engineering Inspector in May 1998.

While in Arizona, he continued his passion for the outdoors and higher education, completing two associate degrees from Glendale Community College in 1984 and 1986, and later a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University in May 1999. Pat knew something about everything – things you couldn’t imagine – and he would give anyone the shirt off his back.

He was an amazing and loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, and friend to all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Chieko Finton, son Stephan Finton, and daughter Kimberly Clark, as well as four grandchildren (Joseph Seto, Guyson Seto, Ryan Finton, and Hannah Finton), and five great grandchildren (Aria Seto, Celeste Seto, Max Seto, Mila Seto, and Miles Seto). Patrick Finton, Semper Fi, words cannot express how much you will be missed.

Services will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on Monday, June 3, 2019 at 2:00 PM. Immediately following the service, friends and family are invited to Claim Jumper for a gathering in memory of Patrick.