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- General Finley was born on March 25,1930, in White City, Kansas. After graduating from Morrowville Rural High School in 1947, he attended Kansas State University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. In 1956, he completed a Master of Science Degree in Agriculture/Administration from Kansas State University. His military education includes the Radar Operator and Repairman T-33 Course, 1951; Artillery Officer Basic Course, 1952; Ordnance Officer Advanced Course, 1969; Command and General Staff College Course, 1977.
- General Finley began his military career upon appointment as a Second Lieutenant, Artillery, upon graduation from the Reserve Officer Training Corps, Kansas State University. He entered active duty on September 4, 1951 and was assigned to the 504th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (90MM), Fort Custer, Michigan. After completion of the Artillery Basic Officers Course at Fort Bliss, Texas, in 1951 he was transferred to the Seventh U.S. Division, serving as a Forward Observer for Artillery, Team Leader for Divisional Counter Mortar Radar Coverage, Platoon Leader for Artillery Automatic Weapons and Battery Executive Officer. Upon release from active duty in September 1953, he served as an Infantry Platoon Leader in the 89th Division (USAR) and as Company Executive Officer and Company Commander for Transportation and Quartermaster Companies.
- He was appointed Captain, Ordnance, Headquarters, 110th Ordnance Battalion, Kansas Army National Guard, Norton, Kansas, 1 November 1966. During the period from November 1, 1966 to December 31, 1979, he served as a Guided Missile Special Weapons Officer, Ammunition Supply Officer, Ammunition Officer, Materiel Officer, Executive Officer and Battalion Commander. He was promoted to Major, Ordnance, on January 7, 1972, and to Lieutenant Colonel, Ordnance, on March 19, 1976. He was assigned as Detachment Commander, Command and Control Headquarters, Kansas Army National Guard, upon reorganization of the 110th Ordnance Battalion, effective January 1, 1979.
- In February 1979, he was transferred to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Kansas Army National Guard, Topeka, Kansas, as Assistant G-1, Personnel Administration Section. Simultaneously with his reassignment as Public Affairs Officer on March 29, 1979, he was promoted to the grade of colonel. He was reassigned to the position of Director, Schools Section, on December 15, 1981. He was promoted to Brigadier General, Line, April 1, 1982. He was assigned as Deputy Commander, State Area Command (STARC), Kansas Army National Guard, effective September 30, 1982. On November 17, 1984, General Finley transferred to the USAR (Inactive) where he remained until July 10, 1987, when he was reappointed as Deputy Commander, State Area Command (STARC). On October 18, 1987, he was appointed as the Adjutant General of Kansas. He was promoted to Major General - with Federal Recognition effective June 16, 1988.
- The General is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Epsilon Sigma Phi, National Guard Association of the United States, National Guard Association of Kansas, American Legion, Lions Club, Pioneer Country Inc., 7th Infantry Division Association.
- General Finley's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with two Service Stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with three Hour Glass Devices, Army Service Ribbon and the United Nations Service Medal.
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