KANE, JOHN R.
(Air Mission)
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.
