It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral William John “Bill” Finneran on 24 January 2025 at age 94. Rear Admiral Finneran enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in August 1952 and served as a naval aviator and in aviation engineering/systems until his retirement in July 1988 as vice commander, Naval Air Systems Command. He also served in command of Naval Air Rework Facility, Jacksonville, Florida. He served over a decade in senior levels in Naval Air Systems Command,
Bill Finneran graduated from Michigan State College in 1952, earning a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve on 7 August 1952, reporting to Officer Candidate School on 24 August 1952. On 23 October 1952, he was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve to rank from 1 September 1952. In October 1952, he reported to Naval Aviation Technical Training center (NATTC) Jacksonville, Florida, for duty under instruction. In December 1952, Ensign Finneran was assigned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. He served as assistant aeronautical engineering officer in the overhaul and repair department. He was promoted to lieutenant (junior grade) in March 1954 and augmented from the Naval Reserve to the U.S. Navy in September 1955.
In March 1956, Lieutenant (j.g.) Finneran was assigned to Naval Aviation Basic Training Command, NAS Pensacola, for duty under instruction with additional duty at NAVANTRACOM Activity, NAS Memphis, Tennessee/Advanced Training Unit (ATU) 206, NAS Pensacola. He was promoted to lieutenant in October 1956. He was designated a naval aviator HTA (heavier than air) in June 1957.
In September 1957, Lieutenant Finneran was assigned to Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (NATTU) Philadelphia for duty under instruction. In December 1957, he was assigned to the staff of Commander Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet. In December 1959, he reported to Attack Squadron ONE TWO TWO (VA-122), the fleet replacement squadron for AD-6/7 Skyraider pilots and instrument training for fleet propeller pilots.
In June 1960, Lieutenant Finneran was assigned to Attack Squadron ONE NINE SIX (VA-196) ‘The Main Battery” at NAS Moffett Field, California. The squadron was equipped with the AD-6/AD-1H Skyraider and deployed to the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean in 1960–61.
He was promoted to lieutenant commander in July 1962 and reported to Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering. In June 1964, he was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Weapons Representative in Columbus, Ohio, under instruction. In August 1964, he was administratively assigned to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Princeton University while earning a master’s degree in engineering. In June 1965, Finneran was assigned to the Naval Plant Representative Office, Columbus, Ohio, as engineering officer/assistant naval plant representative. He was promoted to commander in July 1967.
In September 1968, Commander Finneran was assigned to Naval Air Systems Command as assistant project manager for the F‑14 weapons system. In August 1973, he reported to the staff of Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet as aircraft material and engineering officer. He was promoted to captain in January 1974.
In February 1976, Captain Finneran reported to Attack Carrier Striking Force, Seventh Fleet, as assistant chief of staff for material readiness. In April 1977, he assumed command of Naval Air Rework Facility, Jacksonville. In July 1979, he reported to Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters as executive director, Systems and Engineering Group. In May 1980, he was assigned to the staff of Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as assistant chief of staff for material. He was designated a rear admiral (lower half) for duty in a billet commensurate with that rank on 11 February 1982.
In July1982, Rear Admiral Finneran reported to Naval Air Systems Command as assistant. commander for systems and engineering. He was promoted to rear admiral (lower half) on 1 January 1983. He was designated a rear admiral (two-star) for duty in a billet commensurate with that rank on 1 April 1985.
In May 1985, Rear Admiral Finneran assumed duty as Naval Air Systems Command assistant. commander for logistics and fleet support. He was promoted to rear admiral on 1 July 1985. He was designated a Materiel Professional in 1985.
In June 1986, Rear Admiral Finneran assumed duty as vice commander, Naval Air Systems Command. He retired on 1 July 1988
Rear Admiral Finneran’s awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards); Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal (two awards); and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
Following retirement, Rear Admiral Finneran was a passionate fisherman who enjoyed boating and golfing.
Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.
Rear Admiral Finneran served the U.S. Navy and nation with distinction. His flag service transcript does not list a designator, but based on his assignments he served as an aeronautical engineering duty officer (AEDO—now Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer). He was designated a naval aviator rather late, five years after being commissioned and following an AEDO assignment. He had one operational flying tour, in VA-196 flying the Skyraider piston-engine carrier attack bomber in 1960–61. The remainder of his tours were in aviation systems/engineering with the exception of a tour in 1976–77 with CTF-77 (Attack Carrier Striking Force, Seventh Fleet) at Cubi Point, Philippines, as assistant chief of staff for material readiness. He served five years at Naval Air Systems Command in 1968–73 as assistant project manager for the F‑14 weapons system, playing a key role in bringing the F-14 into operational status. During Rear Admiral Finneran’s many years at Naval Air Systems Command, he managed the full life-cycle support of Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, weapons, and systems to include research, design, test, evaluation, acquisition, repair, modification, in-service engineering and logistics support, and training facilities. A 1968 article in
Proceedings states that an “AEDO is dedicated to a career that is somewhat unfamiliar even to brother officers in the Navy.” This is arguably still true today, but there is no doubt that such a career requires extraordinary technical knowledge, dedication, leadership, and sacrifice to successfully meet the mission of providing the greatest naval aviation force in history. He no doubt made a difference in the defense of our nation, especially during the Cold War, and the Navy is better for his service.
Rest in Peace, Admiral Finneran.