KANE, JOHN R. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Colonel, U.S. Army Air Corps, 9th Air Force.
Place and date: Ploetsi Raid, Rumania, 1 August 1943. Entered service at:
Shreveport, La. Birth: McGregor, Tex. G.O. No.: 54, 9 August 1943. Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry in action and intrepidity at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty on 1 August 1943. On this date he
led the third element of heavy bombardment aircraft in a mass low-level
bombing attack against the vitally important enemy target of the Ploesti
oil refineries. En route to the target, which necessitated a round-trip
flight of over 2,400 miles, Col. Kane's element became separated from the
leading portion of the massed formation in avoiding dense and dangerous
cumulous cloud conditions over mountainous terrain. Rather than turn back
from such a vital mission he elected to proceed to his target. Upon arrival
at the target area it was discovered that another group had apparently
missed its target and had previously attacked ??and damaged the target
assigned to Col. Kane's element. Despite the thoroughly warned defenses,
the intensive antiaircraft fire, enemy fighter airplanes, extreme hazards
on a low-level attack of exploding delayed action bombs from the previous
element, of oil fires and explosions and dense smoke over the target area,
Col. Kane elected to lead his formation into the attack. By his gallant
courage, brilliant leadership, and superior flying skill, he and the formation
under his command successfully attacked this vast refinery so essential
to our enemies' war effort. Through his conspicuous gallantry in this most
hazardous action against the enemy, and by his intrepidity at the risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Col. Kane personally contributed
vitally to the success of this daring mission and thereby rendered most
distinguished service in the furtherance of the defeat of our enemies.
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