Second Lieutenant Finch was a veteran of World War II, serving during the assault on Okinawa. In Korea, he was the assistant platoon leader of the 81mm mortar platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. During his second week in action, he was Killed in Action while the 3rd Battalion was assaulting hills south of Hoengsong, South Korea, on 2 March 1951 by a Chinese 122mm mortar round.

For his leadership and valor, Second Lieutenant Finch was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Asia-Pacific Theater Medal.