John R. Kane
John Riley Kane | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Killer Kane" |
| Born | January 5, 1907 McGregor, Texas |
| Died | May 29, 1996 (aged 89) Coatesville, Pennsylvania |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1931–1954 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | 98th Bombardment Group 3415th Maintenance and Supply Group 580th Air Resupply and Communications Wing |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Air Medal (5) |
John Riley Kane (January 5, 1907 – May 29, 1996) was a colonel in the United States Army Air Forces and later the United States Air Force who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, in World War II. A native of Texas, Kane joined the Army Air Forces after graduating from Baylor University. During World War II, he commanded the 98th Bombardment Group, a B-24 Liberator unit, and conducted bombing missions in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading the 98th in Operation Tidal Wave, a low-altitude attack on oil refineries in Ploieşti, Romania. After the war, he commanded a series of airfields in the U.S. and served a year and a half in North Africa before his retirement.