WILLIAM R. KANE, CAPT, USN
William Kane '33
Lucky Bag
From the 1933 Lucky Bag:
WILLIAM RICHARD KANE
San Rafael, California
"Killer" "Babe" "Bill"
Babe is a product of that far away land of sunshine, California, where men are men or sailors—a true native son. He might have been a little fellow once, when they used to tie him down to put shoes on him, but we've never known him except as he is—that's sufficient. Willie's a big boy now with the terrible name of "Killer," big in all respects—feet, hands, but biggest of all, his heart. Favors asked, and often unasked, never go unheeded. Being anything but good-natured just isn't in Babe's line except, perhaps, before a big wrestling meet or football game when he attempts to acquire that mean attitude—but fails.
As to Bill's activities—academically, athletically, socially, and otherwise—it's only necessary to say that he's never failed in anything, and there's no indication, at present, that he ever will. The wonder is that he does it all without effort—just got started on the right course and can't stop.
Ambition in Willie's direction is ultra conservative—so he says—a little cottage back in the Golden State and all that goes with it. We have our doubts about that, though, and figure Babe will always be right in there where the battle is the toughest. It's faith displayed that gives a return of faith; so we are all in to the last that Bill will never hand over his sword. All we've been trying to say is that Willie is a winner!
Football 4, 3, 2, 1; Wrestling 4, 3, 2, 1; Track 4, 3; Baseball 2; N Club; G. P. O.
WILLIAM RICHARD KANE
San Rafael, California
"Killer" "Babe" "Bill"
Babe is a product of that far away land of sunshine, California, where men are men or sailors—a true native son. He might have been a little fellow once, when they used to tie him down to put shoes on him, but we've never known him except as he is—that's sufficient. Willie's a big boy now with the terrible name of "Killer," big in all respects—feet, hands, but biggest of all, his heart. Favors asked, and often unasked, never go unheeded. Being anything but good-natured just isn't in Babe's line except, perhaps, before a big wrestling meet or football game when he attempts to acquire that mean attitude—but fails.
As to Bill's activities—academically, athletically, socially, and otherwise—it's only necessary to say that he's never failed in anything, and there's no indication, at present, that he ever will. The wonder is that he does it all without effort—just got started on the right course and can't stop.
Ambition in Willie's direction is ultra conservative—so he says—a little cottage back in the Golden State and all that goes with it. We have our doubts about that, though, and figure Babe will always be right in there where the battle is the toughest. It's faith displayed that gives a return of faith; so we are all in to the last that Bill will never hand over his sword. All we've been trying to say is that Willie is a winner!
Football 4, 3, 2, 1; Wrestling 4, 3, 2, 1; Track 4, 3; Baseball 2; N Club; G. P. O.
Biography
From Veteran Tributes:
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.
From the 1953 edition of the book "Double Three Roundup," published by the class of 1933:
Killer spent nine months undergoing the rigors of JO Mess and bunkroom life aboard the NEW YORK, surviving that to report to the cruiser ASTORIA, newly commissioned at Bremerton. He combined honeymoon and flight training at Pensacola in 1935-36, then joined Air Group Two aboard the LEXINGTON for a year each in VB-5 and VF-2. He coached the Navy Plebes football line in the Fall of 1938 and then reported to the WICHITA as Senior Aviator.
In July, 1940, Killer went to the Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, and was Officer of the Day there on December 7, 1941 (the O.O.D. duty lasted 72 hours that time). In October, 1942, he became Executive Officer of the "Grim Reapers", VF-10, aboard the ENTERPRISE, and fleeted up to squadron commander the following February. His planes took part in the battles of Santa Cruz, Guadalcanal, and Rennell Island. After returning to the States for rest and reorganization that Summer, the squadron rejoined the ENTERPRISE in October, 1943. In February, 1944, Bill took command of the Air Group, that same month taking part in the Truk assault, the first successful night bombing attack ever staged by Navy carrier-based planes. His group was in practically every major fleet air attack in the Pacific from January to July, the Marshalls, Truk, Palau, Yap and Woleai, Hollandia, Enurau, Saipan, etc. In the latter operation he was shot down by our own forces, but was rescued half and hour later, ruffled but not seriously injured. A second rescue followed a few days later when he was forced to ditch at night after leading the attack against the Jap Carriers in the area.
Upon return stateside in late Summer of 1944, Killer was assigned duty in DCNO (Air) for about 18 months, directing the aviation physical and military training program. He served another two years as Assistant Director of Athletics at the Naval Academy. A year and a half duty first as Air Officer, then Operations Officer, in the TARAWA followed. From August 1949 to June 1950 Bill attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base. In July, 1950 he reported again to DCNO (Air), with collateral duty in the Military Requirements Division of BuAer. He is now Chief Staff Officer, Heavy Attack Wing One.
Bill married Madeline Munns of Bremerton, Washington, on June 14, 1935. They have three children, William David, born in 1936, Judith Munns, 1940, and Christina Mary, 1949.
The Killer is a sports fan, golf addict and flying enthusiast. He also calls himself a hammer-and-saw wood butcher. He belongs to the American Football Coaches Association, USNA Alumni and Athletic Associations, and is honorary President of the V-5 Association of America.
He has the Navy Cross, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Presidential Unit Citation. The latter was awarded in 1942 to the ENTERPRISE, the first ship to receive such an award in World War II.
From Arlington National Cemetery:
Madeline Kane Hurlburt, Bill's wife and mother of two babies while stationed on Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor (Dad was just being relieved as officer of the day at Ford Island) died Tuesday, October 24, 2006, at age 94.
Incidentally, I have photos of mom serving cookies to the young army soldiers setting up machine gun nests in our front yard trying to protect the battleships. Amazing women in that era!
- February 17, 1944, two kills
- March 30, 1944, one kill
- June 11, 1944, two kills
- June 20, 1944, three kills
This site has more details of William's wartime exploits, including an incident where was shot down near Saipan but rescued by a destroyer. Several days later he was again forced to land in the sea and was again rescued by a destroyer.
He was survived by his wife and three children and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Photographs
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander William Richard Kane, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane and Commander of Air Group 10 TEN (AG-10), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action from 11 to 25 June 1944, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of the Southern Marianas Islands, from 11 to 25 June 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 16 June, he participated in the First Battle of the Philippine Sea on 20 June, serving as a fighter escort for several planes seeking the location of the main Japanese Fleet and shooting down a single-engined torpedo plane and a twin float aero-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, reduced the anti-aircraft opposition for his dive bombers and torpedo planes during their attacks which disabled or sunk the enemy vessel. Retiring with his group through darkness to base after this strenuous and protracted engagement, he effected a forced water landing, when unable to land on his carrier. By his brilliant airmanship, courageous initiative and daring leadership, Commander Kane contributed materially to the success of our operations in these historic actions, and his great personal valor in the face of grave peril was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander Fast Carrier Task Force: Serial 0247 (July 13, 1944)
Action Date: June 11 - 25, 1944
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Company: Commanding Officer
Regiment: Air Group 10 (AG-10)
Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
Distinguished Flying Cross
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] William Richard Kane, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commander of Fighting Squadron TEN (VF-10), in operations against enemy Japanese forces at Taroa and Kwajalein, from 29 January to 4 February 1944; and against Truk, 16 - 17 February 1944. Determinedly pushing through to his target at Taroa under extremely adverse conditions of weather and darkness, Commander Kane effected the rendezvous of sufficient fighters to destroy all airborne opposition and many enemy aircraft on the ground. During action against Kwajalein, he effectively led numerous strikes against the enemy, destroying an ammunition dump and other installations. Commanding the first combined fighter sweep in the initial American offensive move against the enemy stronghold at Truk, he directed his 72 fighters skillfully and coolly against enemy air opposition and anti-aircraft fire and personally shot down three enemy planes. His superb professional skill, able leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 66
Action Date: January 29 - February 4, 1944
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Company: Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10)
Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] William Richard Kane, United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commander of Air Group TEN, attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Marshall and Caroline Islands and at Hollandia, New Guinea, from 20 February to 30 April 1944. Skillfully leading his flight of carrier-based planes on numerous missions in support of our offensive operations in these strategic islands, Commander Kane consistently maneuvered his planes for maximum striking power and, directing devastating assaults against the Japanese, contributed immeasurably to the infliction of serious and costly damage on hostile aircraft, installations and shipping. At Palau and Truk, he assisted in the destruction of two enemy planes during fierce aerial encounters. His inspiring leadership, indomitable fighting spirit, superb airmanship and gallant devotion to duty despite grave hazards reflect the highest credit upon Commander Kane and the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: February 20 - April 30, 1944
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Company: Commanding Officer
Regiment: Air Group 10
Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.
The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.
The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.
Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.
October 1933
October 1934
January 1935
October 1935
LT James Craig '22
LT Richard Moss '24
LTjg John Duke '26
1LT Ernest Pollock '28
LTjg William Pennewill '29
LTjg Robert Coates '30
1LT Nicholas Pusel '30
LTjg Gilbert Carpenter '30
LTjg Lance Massey '30
1LT Harold Bauer '30
January 1936
LT James Craig '22
LTjg John Duke '26
1LT Ernest Pollock '28
LTjg William Pennewill '29
LTjg Gilbert Carpenter '30
LTjg Lance Massey '30
1LT Harold Bauer '30
April 1936
LTjg John Duke '26
1LT Ernest Pollock '28
LTjg William Pennewill '29
LTjg Gilbert Carpenter '30
LTjg Lance Massey '30
LTjg William Sisko '31
LTjg Charles Mallory, Jr. '32
July 1936
LTjg John Duke '26
CAPT Ernest Pollock '28
LTjg William Pennewill '29
LTjg Gilbert Carpenter '30
LTjg Lance Massey '30
LTjg William Sisko '31
LTjg Charles Crommelin '31
January 1937
LT William Eaton '21 (USS Lexington)
LTjg Lloyd Greenamyer '29 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg William Freshour '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 2B)
LTjg Vernon Hain '31 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 3B)
LTjg Philip Ashworth '31 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Truman Carpenter '32 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 3B)
LTjg Ludwell Pickett, Jr. '33 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
ENS John Eichmann '35 (USS Lexington)
ENS Richard McGowan '35 (USS Lexington)
ENS Webster Johnson '36 (USS Lexington)
April 1937
LT William Eaton '21 (USS Lexington)
LTjg Lloyd Greenamyer '29 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg William Freshour '31 (Fighting Plane Squadron (VF) 2B)
LTjg Vernon Hain '31 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 3B)
LTjg Philip Ashworth '31 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
LTjg Truman Carpenter '32 (Bombing Plane Squadron (VB) 3B)
LTjg Ludwell Pickett, Jr. '33 (Scouting Plane Squadron (VS) 3B)
ENS John Eichmann '35 (USS Lexington)
ENS Richard McGowan '35 (USS Lexington)
September 1937
LT Ralph Smith '26 (Torpedo Squadron (VT) 2)
LT Renwick Calderhead '27 (Torpedo Squadron (VT) 2)
LTjg George Ottinger '32 (Bombing Squadron (VB) 2)
LTjg Burden Hastings '33 (Torpedo Squadron (VT) 2)
LTjg Thompson Guthrie, Jr. '34 (Scouting Squadron (VS) 2)
ENS John Eichmann '35 (USS Lexington)
ENS Thomas Edwards, Jr. '37 (USS Lexington)
January 1938
LT Ralph Smith '26 (Torpedo Squadron (VT) 2)
LT Renwick Calderhead '27 (Torpedo Squadron (VT) 2)
LTjg John Speer '32 (USS Lexington)
LTjg George Ottinger '32 (Bombing Squadron (VB) 2)
LTjg George Klinsmann '33 (Torpedo Squadron (VT) 2)
LTjg Thompson Guthrie, Jr. '34 (Scouting Squadron (VS) 2)
ENS Thomas Edwards, Jr. '37 (USS Lexington)
July 1938
LT William Hobby, Jr. '23
LT Richard Baron '24
LT Harold Pound '25
LT William Graham, Jr. '25
LT Andrew Harris '25
LT Hilan Ebert '26
LT John Bermingham '29
LT Egbert Roth '29
LT Victor Gaulin '30
LTjg Russell Ross '30
LT John Bisson '30
January 1939
October 1939
June 1940
November 1940
April 1941
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
