Terrence [Terry] J. Finnegan is a retired Colonel in the USAF with over 40 years of service within the Department of Defense in a broad array of assignments across the globe.  His primary work was in intelligence, covering analysis, production, and operations.  

 

His 30-year career was complemented by a parallel career as a senior civil servant in the Department of Defense.  Assignments included US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), Defense Intelligence Agency, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), US European Command, NORAD/U.S. Space Command, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Forward (Desert Storm), Air War College, US Pacific Command (PACOM) and the National Security Agency.  

 

Colonel Finnegan’s interest in military history stems from his father Theodore, an active duty USAF Lieutenant Colonel whose assignments included the USAF Academy and University of New Hampshire. Theodore Finnegan’s father Cyril was a Private First Class medic who served in the 26th “Yankee” Division for its duration at the Western Front.  His service in the First World War also inspired Colonel Finnegan to commence research and writing, culminating in the publication of Shooting the Front (Aerial Reconnaissance in World War I) and A Delicate Affair on the Western Front (the battle of Seicheprey in April 1918).  The former has been cited as one of the definitive works on World War I aviation.  The latter has received very positive reviews, including: 

 

“Reading this book, one gets a feeling for the horrible conditions in the trenches and trench warfare (what the other combatants referred to as ‘positional war’), whose only rival is the account in Erich Maria Remarque's classic All Quiet on the Western Front."

 

"It is better than History, it is Literature."

 

Terry has written several articles on the role of military intelligence and aviation in the First World War, including "Studies in Intelligence," "Stand To [UK Western Front Association]", "Over the Top" and "Over the Front."

 

Terry Finnegan was the leader in the effort to erect the Vietnam Era Memorial at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. The bridge was dedicated in 1992 and is the first Vietnam memorial in the United States to honor both the veterans of that era as well as those selfless individuals who protested the policies of the war. 

 

Terry Finnegan served the National Guard Bureau’s goal to establish and maintain joint training in the National Guard at each state headquarters for fifteen years.  He primarily supported NGB in this role throughout the entire western region of the United States from Arizona to Alaska to Guam.  Terry retired and is now preparing to write a book about a famous general who commanded a National Guard division in WW1 -  MG Clarence Edwards, commander of the 26th “Yankee" Division.

 

Sadly, Terry's wife Susan passed away from Alzheimers in 2019. Terry now resides in New Hampshire