FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contact: Mike Lyster (714) 765-4497 office, (714) 686-4402 mobile
Anaheim Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of Fallen Sailor
ANAHEIM, Calif. (Oct. 22, 2016) — City of Anaheim flags are at half-staff through sundown Monday to honor Chief Petty Officer Jason C. Finan, a Navy sailor who lost his life in Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve to free parts of the country from ISIS control.
Finan, who lived in Anaheim when he enlisted in 2003, was killed Thursday when an armored vehicle he was traveling in struck an improvised explosive device.
On Friday, Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait directed Anaheim flags at city facilities be lowered in honor of Finan.
“On behalf of the city of Anaheim, our deep condolences go out to the Finan family,” Tait said. “Jason Finan was a decorated sailor who gave his life in one of the most important fights of our time. Today, we share a family’s sorrow but know Finan served valiantly doing what was right.”
Operation Inherent Resolve is the U.S. military’s campaign against Islamic State, also known as ISIS, in Iraq and Syria.
American soldiers, pilots, sailors and advisers are playing a critical role as Iraqi and allied forces advance on the ISIS-controlled city of Mosul and surrounding areas.
Finan, a 34-year-old who most recently lived with his wife and son in Imperial Beach in San Diego County, is the first U.S. combat death in the Mosul offensive.
His decorations are numerous. They include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a Combat Valor designation, the Army Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and others.
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