Michael Thomas "Mickey" Finn was born February 12, 1894 in Vale Summit, Maryland. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on November 8, 1915, but had to leave the Marine Corps in 1916 due to family hardships. At the time, it was possible to purchase your way out of the Marine Corps. He worked for the Ford Motor Company to provide for his family.
	Michael Finn reenlisted in the Marine Corps on April 25, 1917, when the US declared war on Germany.
In Europe, Michael Finn rapidly achieved the rank of Sergeant. He fought at the battles of Belleau Wood, Soissons, St. Mihiel, Blanc Mont, and the Meuse-Argonne. After the war, Gunnery Sergeant Finn served with the occupation forces until July 4, 1919. He was discharged on August 13, 1919, and reenlisted October 20, 1920. He would serve continually in the Marine Corps until his retirement on April 30, 1948.
	During Michael Finn's long career, he served three tours in Nicaragua, a tour with the Marine detachment on board the battleship New York, as a prison warden in Hampton Roads, and as head instructor at the Sea School at the Norfolk Navy Yard. He also represented the Marine Corps in rifle and pistol competitions, as a baseball player, and as a boxer.
In 1936, Gunnery Sergeant Finn was promoted to the new rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant. He was the first of six promotions to the new rank. He held the rank until 1946, when the rank was abolished. (The rank was re-established in 1959.) As a result, he retired with the rank of Master Sergeant.
Over his career, Michael Finn earned the following awards: Silver Star, Croix la Guerre, Fourragere, Medal of Merit (Nicaragua), and eight Good Conduct Medals. He also received the Gold Distinguished Marksman and Distinguished Pistol in 1926. Michael Finn was rated expert with the pistol, BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle), and rifle.
	After leaving the Marine Corps, Michael Finn worked for the Civil Service for a number of years.
	Mickey Finn died July 23, 1983, at the age of 89.

 

The Marine Corps League was founded by Major General Commandant, John A. Lejeune, in 1923 and chartered by an Act of Congress on August 4, 1937. Its membership of nearly 50,000 is comprised of honorably discharged, active duty and Reserve Marines with 90 days of service or more, and retired Marines. It includes officer, enlisted, male and female members.

The Marine Corps League is headed by an elected National Commandant, with 14 elected national staff officers who serve as trustees. Day to day operations are under the control of an executive director who supervises the day-to-day performance of the national headquarters staff, located at 8626 Lee Highway in Fairfax, Virginia.

The prime authority of the League is derived from its charter and from its annual national convention held in August in different major U. S. cities throughout the nation. The National Commandant has operational control over the National Headquarters staff and the National Board of Trustees, who in turn coordinate the efforts of 45 department, or State entities, and the activities of over 780 community-based detachments located throughout the United States and overseas.

The League is classified as a military service organization and was formed for the purposes of promoting the interests of the U. S. Marine Corps; to provide camaraderie and assistance to Marines, as well as to their widows and orphans; and to preserve the traditions of the U. S. Marine Corps. It is a not for profit organization within the provisions of Internal Revenue Service Code 50l (c) (4), with a special group exemption letter which allows for contributions to the Marine Corps League, its Auxiliary and subsidiary units, to be tax deductible by the donor.

Incorporated by an act of Congress in 1937, the Marine Corps League perpetuates the traditions and spirit of ALL Marines who proudly wear or who have worn the eagle, globe and anchor of the Corps.

Members of the Marine Corps League join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps. This is accomplished by banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service; voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans, and by perpetuating the history of the United States Marine Corps through fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.