March 4, 2024
Former CHINFO and USNPAA President
The Passing of Rear Admiral Jimmie Finkelstein, USN (Ret)
Dear USNPAA Members,
I'm deeply saddened to inform you of Rear Admiral Jimmie Finkelstein’s passing Sunday evening.
Rear Adm. Finkelstein served as CHINFO from June 1986-July 1989. He entered the Navy via OCS and received his 1650 designation while at Eighth Naval District in 1964. While stationed at CINCPACFLT in 1965, he served an extended TAD in South Vietnam as SEVENTH Fleet war operations expanded. He opened what later became the SEVENTH Fleet—Detachment Charlie Public Affairs Office in Saigon. He served as FIRST Fleet PAO in San Diego; SACLANT, U.S. Atlantic Command and Atlantic Fleet PAO in Norfolk. In Washington, Jimmie served as CNO James Holloway's PAO (1976-1979) and served as Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman's PAO (1983-1986).
Lehman served as President Ronald Reagan’s Navy Secretary. Lehman, with Jimmie offering public affairs counsel, led the Navy to the cusp of a 600-ship fleet. Jimmie also helped Lehman craft a very compelling argument about why the U.S. needed a strong Navy—especially to combat the threat from the then Soviet navy. As I observed Jimmie navigate the E-Ring and handle the media at this very challenging time, my admiration for him grew exponentially.
Rear Adm. Brent Baker, who served as Jimmie's CHINFO Deputy, says, "Jimmie was a leader highly respected throughout the Pentagon's leadership. I can say that it was a challenging time, but Jimmie always thought of our public affairs team. Jimmie would say in staff meetings, "How can we move up to the next step of PA professionalism and take care of our devoted Navy families.”
Jimmie’s passing is extremely difficult for me because he was my first mentor. I was a LTJG, a fresh-caught PAO whose first assignment was to the CHINFO News Desk. Jimmie was a LCDR, and I was immediately in awe to see the icons of the Pentagon press corps walk in and out of Jimmie’s office each day. These included Fred Hoffman (AP), Bob Schieffer (CBS), David Martin (then Newsweek), George Wilson (Washington Post) and myriad others. He would often share with us what he talked to the reporters about, and we were all able to learn something from those ‘debriefs.’ That insight he provided us was like obtaining an advanced degree in media relations. Quite simply, Jimmie was an extraordinary professional — a master at his trade — and a marvel to watch in action. He was the consummate pro.
Jimmie was able to attend our last reunion, as many of you know. Being able to attend was something that he really wanted to do, and I’m delighted that he was able to join us—even if it were for only a short time. He certainly attracted a crowd—not just from the “old timers” but from many of the younger PAOs. They simply wanted to shake Jimmie's hand or grab a photo with him. After all, he was a legend—and rightly so.
While I will always remember Jimmie for his professional talents, I will also remember him for his devotion to his family. Kay was a phenomenal “First Lady” of CHINFO. And despite the incredible hours Jimmie put in as a PAO, he always had a love and devotion to his children—Susan, John, and Andrew. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.
Arrangements are not known at this time. We will keep you updated as they become available.
Tom Jurkowsky
Former USNPAA President
Funeral Arrangements
More Notes
Former CHINFO and USNPAA President
The Passing of Rear Admiral Jimmie Finkelstein, USN (Ret)
Dear USNPAA Members,
I'm deeply saddened to inform you of Rear Admiral Jimmie Finkelstein’s passing Sunday evening.
Rear Adm. Finkelstein served as CHINFO from June 1986-July 1989. He entered the Navy via OCS and received his 1650 designation while at Eighth Naval District in 1964. While stationed at CINCPACFLT in 1965, he served an extended TAD in South Vietnam as SEVENTH Fleet war operations expanded. He opened what later became the SEVENTH Fleet—Detachment Charlie Public Affairs Office in Saigon. He served as FIRST Fleet PAO in San Diego; SACLANT, U.S. Atlantic Command and Atlantic Fleet PAO in Norfolk. In Washington, Jimmie served as CNO James Holloway's PAO (1976-1979) and served as Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman's PAO (1983-1986).
Lehman served as President Ronald Reagan’s Navy Secretary. Lehman, with Jimmie offering public affairs counsel, led the Navy to the cusp of a 600-ship fleet. Jimmie also helped Lehman craft a very compelling argument about why the U.S. needed a strong Navy—especially to combat the threat from the then Soviet navy. As I observed Jimmie navigate the E-Ring and handle the media at this very challenging time, my admiration for him grew exponentially.
Rear Adm. Brent Baker, who served as Jimmie's CHINFO Deputy, says, "Jimmie was a leader highly respected throughout the Pentagon's leadership. I can say that it was a challenging time, but Jimmie always thought of our public affairs team. Jimmie would say in staff meetings, "How can we move up to the next step of PA professionalism and take care of our devoted Navy families.”
Jimmie’s passing is extremely difficult for me because he was my first mentor. I was a LTJG, a fresh-caught PAO whose first assignment was to the CHINFO News Desk. Jimmie was a LCDR, and I was immediately in awe to see the icons of the Pentagon press corps walk in and out of Jimmie’s office each day. These included Fred Hoffman (AP), Bob Schieffer (CBS), David Martin (then Newsweek), George Wilson (Washington Post) and myriad others. He would often share with us what he talked to the reporters about, and we were all able to learn something from those ‘debriefs.’ That insight he provided us was like obtaining an advanced degree in media relations. Quite simply, Jimmie was an extraordinary professional — a master at his trade — and a marvel to watch in action. He was the consummate pro.
Jimmie was able to attend our last reunion, as many of you know. Being able to attend was something that he really wanted to do, and I’m delighted that he was able to join us—even if it were for only a short time. He certainly attracted a crowd—not just from the “old timers” but from many of the younger PAOs. They simply wanted to shake Jimmie's hand or grab a photo with him. After all, he was a legend—and rightly so.
While I will always remember Jimmie for his professional talents, I will also remember him for his devotion to his family. Kay was a phenomenal “First Lady” of CHINFO. And despite the incredible hours Jimmie put in as a PAO, he always had a love and devotion to his children—Susan, John, and Andrew. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.
Arrangements are not known at this time. We will keep you updated as they become available.
Tom Jurkowsky
Former USNPAA President
Funeral Arrangements
More Notes