#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Jason Finan

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Jason Finan, an explosive ordnance disposal technician who died in Iraq fighting ISIS.

Jason Finan was born in 1982 and was a native of Anaheim, California. He enlisted in the Navy in August 2003.

After completing basic training, Finan served aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. From April 2004 until July 2006, Finan served as an interior communications electrician before retraining for explosive ordnance disposal, or EOD, training. On Sept. 1, 2007, Finan completed his training and became an EOD technician and was assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 in San Diego, California. He would deploy multiple times to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Finan would later integrate and deploy with SEAL Team 5 as an EOD supervisor.

On Oct. 20, 2016, an improvised explosive device killed Finan during a military offensive to reclaim the city of Mosul from the Islamic State. Finan was 34 and operating in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He was advising Kurdish peshmerga forces before coming under small arms fire. His unit moved to a different position when his vehicle hit a roadside improvised explosive device.

Finan’s medals included a Bronze Star Medal with Valor, a Purple Heart Medal and a Navy Commendation Medal with Valor. Finan is survived by his wife, Chariss and their son, Christopher.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Contributors

Editor: Laura Tamayo

Fact checker: Jordan Gossett

Graphic artist: Kimber Garland