Toop
William  R.  Kane  
Photo
Ribbons
 
  Rank, Service
Captain O-6,  U.S. Navy
  Veteran of:
U.S. Naval Academy 1929-1933
U.S. Navy 1933-1957
World War II 1941-1945
Cold War 1945-1957
  Tribute:

William Kane was born on June 4, 1911, in San Rafael, California. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1929, and graduated with a commission as an Ensign on June 1, 1933. His first assignment was aboard the battleship USS New York (BB-34) from June 1933 to April 1934, followed by service aboard the heavy cruiser USS Astoria (CA-34) from April 1934 to June 1935. Ens Kane completed flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator at NAS Pensacola, Florida, in August 1936, and then served with VB-5B aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2) from August 1936 to June 1937. He then served with VF-2, also aboard USS Lexington, from June 1937 to July 1938, followed by service as a Physical Training Instructor and Assistant Football Coach at the U.S. Naval Academy from July to December 1938. LtJg Kane next served as a float plane pilot aboard the heavy cruiser USS Wichita (CA-45) from January 1939 to June 1940, and then served as a flight test officer at NAS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from July 1940 to October 1942. His next assignment was as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of VF-10 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) from October 1942 to February 1944, followed by service as Commander of Air Group 10 aboard the Enterprise from February to September 1944. During this time, CDR Kane was credited with the destruction of 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 1 probable and 2 damaged, all while flying F6F-3 Hellcat fighters. He served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Pentagon from September 1944 to December 1945, and then served as Executive Officer of the Department of Physical Training and as Assistant Director of Athletics at the U.S. Naval Academy from December 1945 to January 1948. His next assignment was as Operations and Air Officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40) from January 1948 to June 1949, followed by Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from July 1949 to June 1950. He then returned to the Pentagon, serving on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Bureau of Aeronautics from July 1950 to February 1952, and then served as Chief of Staff for the Commander of Heavy Attack Wing ONE at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, from February 1952 to January 1953. Capt Kane served on the Staff of the Commander in Chief Atlantic Fleet from January 1953 to July 1954, followed by U.S. Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, from August 1954 to June 1955. His next assignment was on the Staff of Commander Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, from June 1955 to June 1956, and then as Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier USS Saipan (CVL-48) from July 1956 until he was killed in the crash of a TV-2 Seastar on February 5, 1957. William Kane was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

His Navy Cross Citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism as Commander of Air Group TEN, attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Southern Marianas Islands, from June 11 to 25, 1944. Courageously leading his Air Group on numerous attacks, including fighter sweeps and bombardment missions, against strong enemy installations, Commander Kane inflicted serious and costly damage on enemy airfields, gun emplacements and beach positions, personally destroying one enemy fighter in aerial combat and damaging another. Despite a painful wound incurred when shot down on June 16, he participated in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea on June 20, serving as a fighter escort for search planes seeking the location of the main Japanese Fleet and shooting down a single-engine torpedo plane and a twin float reconnaissance plane. Conducting a coordinated strike against the Japanese Fleet, he shot down an intercepting enemy Zero in the ensuing battle and, directing his fighter planes in strafing dives on the decks of an enemy carrier of the Hayataka class, reduced the antiaircraft opposition for his dive bombers and torpedo planes during their attacks which disabled or sank the enemy vessel. Retiring with his group through darkness to base after the arduous and protracted engagement, he executed a forced water landing, when unable to land on his barrier. By his brilliant airmanship, courageous initiative and daring leadership, Commander Kane contributed materially to the success of our operations in these strategic areas, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  




 


 

 
Contact Veteran Tributes at info@veterantributes.org


 

 
Contact Veteran Tributes at info@veterantributes.org