Finn Johansen was born in Norway and immigrated with his family landing first in New York City as a young man in 1927 and settling in Toronto where he spent most of is life. He married shortly after arriving and had a son in 1931 and a daughter in 1935. Although in his late 30s, he volunteered for service in the Canadian Army during the Second World War and fought with the 29th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers. He died in Toronto in 1989 at the age of 84 years.
At 0445 hours on 26 October 1944 as the assault landing force of 156 Infantry Brigade was approaching Amber Beach (Map Reference D.3218 South Beveland) it came under heavy enemy shell fire. One LVT [Landing Vehicle Tracked] was hit and the resulting explosion destroyed the craft, covering the surrounding sea with burning oil. Observing one survivor in the sea, Corporal Johansen, without hesitating to remove his equipment and regardless of the burning oil and milling LVTs, dived overboard and rescued the man. By his prompt action and complete disregard for his own safety Corporal Johansen saved the survivor's life.