Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Corporal John Kane received the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 2, 1865 in Petersburg, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company K, 100th New York Infantry. Kane was about 31 years old.
65 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on May 12, 1865. He later rose to the rank of Sergeant.
Kane was born in 1834 in Ireland — one of 258 recipients born in Ireland. His Medal of Honor is credited to Marilla, Erie County, New York. Kane died on May 8, 1881 in Clyde, New York, at the age of about 47. He is buried at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Galen, New York.
Kane is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Gallantry as color bearer in the assault on Fort Gregg.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
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Timeline
- 1834Born in Ireland
- April 2, 1865Act of valor — Petersburg, VirginiaAge about 31. Company K, 100th New York Infantry
- May 12, 1865Medal of Honor presented
- May 8, 1881Died in Clyde, New YorkAge about 47.
- Resting placeSt. John's Catholic CemeteryGalen, New York
Biography
John Kane was an American soldier who fought in the American Civil War. Kane received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor. Kane's medal was won for gallantry during the assault on Fort Gregg on April 2, 1865. He was honored with the award on May 12, 1865. Kane was born in Ireland, and in August 1862 (at age 28) joined the US Army from Buffalo, New York. He mustered out with his regiment in June 1865.
From the Wikipedia article “John Kane (Medal of Honor)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
