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Three War Heroes
Article
ALTAMONT, New York (Achieve3000, August 4, 2009). November
11 is Veterans Day, a day for Americans to honor the people who
have served in wars. Here is the story of three brave veterans. All of
them risked their lives in combat.
In many ways, John Finn, Frank Currey, and Nick Oresko are very
different. They are years apart in age, come from different
backgrounds, and hail from three different states. But they share a
common bond. They are all World War II veterans who received the
Congressional Medal of Honor for valor. It is the highest military
award given by the U.S. government.
For years, Finn, Currey, and Oresko have been getting together at an
annual reunion for Medal of Honor recipients.
Photo credit: Tim Roske / The
Associated Press
John Finn, 100, is the nation's oldest
surviving Medal of Honor recipient.
He received his medal for actions
during the Japanese attack on Pearl
Harbor on December 7, 1941.
"Nick and I go back to 1946," said the 83-year-old Currey. Currey is
from New York State. Back then—after the end of World War
II—about a dozen Medal of Honor recipients in the New York City area would hold informal
get-togethers, said Currey. "After a while, some of the guys said, 'Why … don't we form an
organization?'"
The organization holds its reunions each May. It doesn't have many members. The Medal of Honor
was first given in 1863. Since then, there have been only 3,447 recipients. The government gave 464
World War II veterans the medal; of those, 95 are still living.
Soon after making their reunions official, Currey and Oresko became friends with Finn. Finn, who
was born on July 23, 1909, in Los Angeles, California, is the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient.
He received his medal for actions at a naval air station during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
on December 7, 1941. The events of December 7 spurred the U.S. to enter World War II.
Finn was stationed as a chief petty officer at Kaneohe Bay in Oahu, Hawaii, when Japanese planes
strafed the air station during the attack. Despite head wounds and other injuries, Finn continued to
defend the station, and then supervised the re-arming of returning American planes.
"Here they're paying you for doing your duty, and that's what I did. I never intended to be a hero,"
Finn said. He was the first person to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II.
Currey was an 18-year-old sergeant with the Army's 30th Infantry Division in Europe when the Battle
of the Bulge erupted in December 1944. The Battle of the Bulge was a major offensive by German
troops under Adolph Hitler's Nazi rule. On December 21 in Belgium, Currey subjected himself to
enemy fire when he attacked German troops and armor. He also rescued five comrades who were
pinned down by fire.
Oresko, who is from New Jersey, received his medal for actions against enemy positions near
Tettington, Germany, on January 23, 1945. A master sergeant serving with the 94th Infantry Division,
Oresko destroyed two machine gun bunkers and saved many U.S. soldiers' lives, despite being
seriously wounded.
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Three War Heroes
Although each man has a different story, the veterans share an experience that few understand. That
is one reason why their reunions are important to them. Their 2009 reunion, which took place in
Altamont, New York, had a dual purpose. In addition to seeing one another again, the medal
recipients celebrated Finn's 100th birthday. The party took place at the town firehouse. Altamont
resident and café owner Cindy Pollard and Finn's old shipmate Tom Hennessey came up with the
idea. They invited members of local youth organizations to the party so that the kids could meet
some American heroes.
"I'd like young people to learn from these people," Pollard said. "They're tomorrow's heroes, these
kids."
According to Oresko, people who learn about the heroics of the men who received the medals all
have the same reaction: "Everybody's amazed."
"I would be, too," Oresko added.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Dictionary
infantry (noun)
a unit or branch of soldiers trained to fight on foot
offensive (noun)
aggressive action, as opposed to action to defend oneself
recipient (noun)
person who receives something
strafe (verb)
to attack by airplanes with machine-gun fire
valor (noun)
courage
Activity
PAGE 1
1. Based on information in the article, what is one way that John Finn is different from Frank Currey?
Finn received the Medal of Honor for actions against the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, while Currey
received the medal for actions against the Nazis in Belgium.
Finn received the Medal of Honor for actions against the Nazis at the Battle of the Bulge, while
Currey received the medal for actions against Japan.
John Finn lives in the New York City area, while Frank Currey lives in Los Angeles, California.
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Three War Heroes
John Finn is much younger at 83 years old, while Frank Currey celebrated his 100th birthday on July
23, 2009.
2. What is this article mainly about?
Three veterans who received the Medal of Honor for risking their lives in combat
Three World War II sergeants who became friends and decided to hold a yearly reunion
Three men who fought in World War II together and still have a lot in common
Three brave men who protected the U.S. when the Japanese tried to attack Pearl Harbor
3. The reader can infer from the article that __________.
John Finn is probably not at all familiar with the U.S. war planes that were used during World War
II.
The three soldiers were very brave, but they were probably also scared sometimes when they were
fighting in World War II.
The three World War II veterans who received the Medal of Honor will probably decide to stop
holding reunions.
U.S. soldiers who fought in Europe in World War II probably became friends with many German
soldiers.
4. Think about John Finn. Which of these events must have happened second?
Finn began to serve as a chief petty officer at Kaneohe Bay in Oahu, Hawaii.
Finn defended the air station in spite of head wounds he received during the attack.
Finn received the Medal of Honor for his actions against the Japanese at Pearl Harbor.
Finn was befriended by Frank Currey and Nick Oresko during an official reunion.
5. The article states:
For years, Finn, Currey, and Oresko have been getting together at an annual reunion
for Medal of Honor recipients.
When the prefix re- is added to the word union, this makes the word reunion, which must mean
__________.
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Three War Heroes
Getting together at last
Being together when young
Getting together again
Being together forever
6. According to the article, why did Frank Currey receive the Medal of Honor?
Currey sent re-armed American planes out to protect a naval air base, in spite of having serious head
wounds and other injuries.
Currey made the decision to destroy German machine gun bunkers and save lives, even though he
had been seriously wounded.
Currey put himself in great danger to rescue five fellow soldiers who were unable to get to safety.
Currey was the only 18-year-old sergeant who fought against a major offensive by German troops.
7. Which two words from the article are the closest synonyms?
Station and café
Subjected and rescued
Comrades and heroes
Injuries and wounds
8. The news article says all of the following except __________.
The medal recipients had a party for John Finn's 100th birthday at a firehouse in Altamont, New
York.
John Finn, Frank Currey, and Nick Oresko are all war veterans who received the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor was first given out in 1863 and continues to be the highest U.S. military award.
John Finn, Frank Currey, and Nick Oresko haven't changed much since they received their Medals
of Honor.
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Three War Heroes
Poll
Now that you have read the article, indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement.
Which of the three Medal of Honor recipients from the article would you most like to meet?
John Finn
Frank Currey
Nick Oresko
Thought Question
Bar graphs are used to compare data amounts. The bar graph below shows the number of
Congressional Medals of Honor given for each of four wars:
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Three War Heroes
Study the bar graph above. Identify the two wars for which the most medals were given. About how
many medals were given for each of these two wars? Then list at least three questions that you have
about the information in the bar graph.
Type your answer in the text box below.
Poll Results
Before Reading
After Reading
HOW YOU VOTED
John Finn
John Finn
Frank Currey
Frank Currey
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Three War Heroes
Nick Oresko
Nick Oresko
NATIONAL RESULTS
John
Finn
33%
John
Finn
25%
Frank
Currey
33%
Frank
Currey
25%
Nick
Oresko
33%
Nick
Oresko
50%
Math
PAGE 1
1. The U.S. has given out 3,447 Medals of Honor since 1863. Of these, 464 went to World War II
veterans. Since 1863, what percentage of the Medals of Honor went to World War II veterans? Round
to the nearest percent.
46%
13%
62%
7%
Stretch Article
ALTAMONT, New York (Achieve3000, August 4, 2009). November
11 is Veterans Day, a day on which Americans honor the men and
women who have served in wars. Here is the story of three brave
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Three War Heroes
veterans who risked their lives in combat.
In many ways, John Finn, Frank Currey, and Nick Oresko could not
be more different—they are years apart in age, come from dissimilar
backgrounds, and hail from three different states. But for most of
their lives, they have shared a common bond—they are all veterans
who received the Congressional Medal of Honor for the valor they
displayed during World War II.
For years, Finn, Currey, and Oresko have been getting together at an
annual reunion for Medal of Honor recipients.
Photo credit: Tim Roske / The
Associated Press
John Finn, 100, is the nation's oldest
surviving Medal of Honor recipient.
He received his medal for actions
during the Japanese attack on Pearl
Harbor on December 7, 1941.
"Nick and I go back to 1946," said the 83-year-old Currey, who is
from New York State. Back then—one year after the end of World
War II—about a dozen Medal of Honor recipients living in the New York City area would hold
informal get-togethers, said Currey. "After a while, some of the guys said, 'Why … don't we form an
organization?'"
The organization, which holds its reunions each May, does not have many members. The Medal of
Honor is the highest military award given by the U.S. government, and since 1863, when it was first
given, there have been only 3,447 recipients. The government gave 464 World War II veterans the
medal, and of those, 95 are still living.
Soon after making their reunions official, Currey and Oresko befriended Finn. Finn, who was born on
July 23, 1909, in Los Angeles, California, is the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient. He received
his medal for actions at a naval air station during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December
7, 1941. It was this event that spurred the U.S. to enter World War II.
Finn was stationed as a chief petty officer at Kaneohe Bay in Oahu, Hawaii, when Japanese planes
strafed the air station during the attack. Despite head wounds and other injuries, Finn continued to
defend the station, and then supervised the re-arming of returning American planes.
"Here they're paying you for doing your duty, and that's what I did. I never intended to be a hero,"
said Finn, who was the first person to receive the Medal of Honor during World War II.
Currey was an 18-year-old sergeant with the Army's 30th Infantry Division in Europe when the Battle
of the Bulge erupted in December 1944. The Battle of the Bulge was a major offensive by German
troops who were fighting on behalf of Adolph Hitler's Nazi regime. On December 21 in Malmedy,
Belgium, Currey subjected himself to enemy fire when he attacked German troops and armor and
rescued five comrades who were pinned down by fire.
Oresko, who is from New Jersey, received his medal for actions against enemy positions near
Tettington, Germany, on January 23, 1945. A master sergeant serving with the 94th Infantry Division,
Oresko obliterated two machine gun bunkers and saved many U.S. soldiers' lives, despite being
seriously wounded.
Although each man has a different story, the veterans share an experience that few understand. That
is one reason why their reunions are important to them. Their 2009 reunion, which took place in
Altamont, New York, had a dual purpose. In addition to seeing one another again, the medal
recipients celebrated Finn's 100th birthday. The party took place at the town firehouse. Altamont
resident and café owner Cindy Pollard and Finn's old shipmate Tom Hennessey conceived the idea.
They invited members of local youth organizations to the party so that the kids could meet some
American heroes.
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Three War Heroes
"I'd like young people to learn from these people," Pollard said. "They're tomorrow's heroes, these
kids."
According to Oresko, people who learn about the heroics that earned the men their medals all have
the same reaction: "Everybody's amazed."
"I would be, too," Oresko added.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Dictionary
obliterate (verb)
to destroy completely
recipient (noun)
person who receives something
strafe (verb)
to attack by airplanes with machine-gun fire
Stretch Activity
PAGE 1
1. Based on information in the article, what is one way that John Finn is different from Nick Oresko?
Finn received the Medal of Honor for actions to protect a U.S. air naval station, while Oresko
received the medal for actions against enemy positions in Germany.
John Finn is the youngest Medal of Honor recipient at 83 years old, while Nick Oresko celebrated
his 100th birthday on July 23, 2009.
Finn received the Medal of Honor for fighting against an infantry division at the Battle of the Bulge,
while Oresko received the medal for taking out machine gun bunkers.
John Finn was born in Los Angeles, California, while Nick Oresko hails from Tettington, Germany.
2. What is this article mainly about?
Three sergeants who became friends at a World War II reunion in New York City
Three veterans who received the highest military award given by the U.S. government
Three brave men who fought in the Army's 30th Infantry Division against Hitler
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Three War Heroes
Three men who bravely defended Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack in 1941
3. The reader can infer from the article that __________.
Frank Currey and Nick Oresko probably knew they would receive medals, since they came in direct
contact with Adolf Hitler's troops.
John Finn is probably the only person alive today who can tell an accurate story regarding the
events at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Frank Currey probably doesn't remember much about the Battle of the Bulge in Europe, since he is
the oldest living U.S. veteran.
John Finn probably acted without considering that he might receive the Congressional Medal of
Honor for defending his station in Hawaii.
4. Think about John Finn. Which of these events happened third?
Finn was the first person to be awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II for his actions
against the Japanese at Pearl Harbor.
Finn defended his air station and took charge of re-arming planes, even though he was suffering
from injuries he received when the station was attacked.
Finn was befriended by Frank Currey and Nick Oresko during an official reunion of Medal of
Honor recipients.
Finn began to serve as a chief petty officer at a U.S. naval air station in Kaneohe Bay in Oahu,
Hawaii.
5. The article states:
For years, Finn, Currey, and Oresko have been getting together at an annual reunion
for Medal of Honor recipients.
The word recipient is derived from the Latin root -cip-, which most likely means __________.
Hide or run
Cut or break
Hold or take
Find or recover
6. According to the article, why did Frank Currey receive the Medal of Honor?
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Three War Heroes
As a master sergeant during World War II, he destroyed two machine gun bunkers and saved many
U.S. soldiers' lives, in spite of being seriously wounded.
As an 18-year-old sergeant, he attacked German troops and rescued five comrades while subjecting
himself to enemy fire during the Battle of the Bulge.
After sustaining head injuries during the attack on Pearl Harbor, he went on to defend the naval air
station against the Japanese during World War II.
As a member of the 94th Infantry Division, he supervised a major offensive against Hitler's Belgian
naval air station.
7. Which two words from the article are the closest antonyms?
Resident and member
Veteran and soldier
Informal and official
Spurred and supervised
8. The news article says all of the following except __________.
John Finn, Frank Currey, and Nick Oresko are all U.S. war veterans who received the Congressional
Medal of Honor for actions of bravery.
John Finn, Frank Currey, and Nick Oresko have only gotten together a few times since they fought
together in World War II.
The medal recipients celebrated John Finn's 100th birthday at the firehouse in Altamont, New York,
with the help of a local café owner.
The Medal of Honor, the highest military award given by the U.S. government, has been awarded to
3,447 recipients since 1863.
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