Career
Born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1904, Finnegan was an ordained Roman Catholic priest. He was a graduate of Saint Thomas Seminary and Saint Mary"s Seminary and University. In 1956, he was given the title of Monsignor by Pope Pius XII. Finnegan was originally commissioned an officer in the United States Army Reserve in 1937.
He was commissioned an officer in the Regular Army in 1940.
On December 7, 1941, he was present for the attack on Pearl Harbor. During World World War II, he served in the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Mediterranean Theater of Operations.
In 1949, Finnegan transferred to the United States Air Force and was assigned to Headquarters Continental Air Command. From 1950 to 1952, he served in the Korean War.
After returning to the United States, Finnegan was named Command Chaplain at Headquarters Air Training Command.
In 1953, he became Deputy Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force. He remained in that position until his retirement in 1962.
