Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-07
WIN, LOSE OR
UkAW By FRANCIS s1AAA
About the Most

STUART, FLA FEB. This was like losing brother,
Johnny Coxs telephone call from Annapolis telling OF the
death of Killer Kane in jet crash in Georgia. The high
viii Capt William Kane, but the big losers
the countless enlisted who worshpped him and the
civilians who privileged to know him.
Bill Kane far more than four-letter athlete at
Annapolis-a tackle football field track,
terelder baseball and the heavyweight wrestling cham
pion of the Naval Academy Oh, he was far more.
He of compassion He was so naturally
democratic that imators looked foolish Killer was gentle
warrior but great At least five japanese planes went
down before his guns and after Tom Hamilton and Frank
wckhorst he headed the tabled Navy PreFght program
Killer not apt name for Kane Once upon a time
there comic strip featuring character named Killer
Kane. AS a result any midshpmen named Kane or Cain
automatically became killer"
KID STUFF IT WAS and certainly Bill Kane out of
California making it tough way at Annapolis
born killer But he big and tough and courageous and
when the Japs got ugly did Kane.
There seemed to be need-indeed, necessy-to talk
with Admiral Hamilton (USN, Ret) following the
of Kanes crash. Hamilton athletic director at the
University of Pittsburgh served aboard the fabulous carrier
USS Enterprise first air officer and later and
skipper Kane was a group commander
killer held the real love and respect of decent
I've known" Tom saying HE led attacks
the Jap fleets almost cheerfuly like he going to play
against Notre Dame recall mission.
Admiral Mitscher was in command Of this task group
planes may taken of for this strike 1t
rough going the Enterprise Big E, had 10 in
the water All 10 picked up, but No 10 missing
THE CREW DIDN'T HAVE to be told who was missing"
Hamilton But four days later destroyer steamed up
and blinked message
1--WE have aviator for you" it read
"You can't imagine anything like it," Admiral Tom
lated THE whole shp-he Big Event wild The enlisted
men, knowing it Killer, dashed the side. The
ship must have listed five six degrees while they brought
him aboard.
Usually you command situation such that
one but of the high officers cared The Big could
have turned her side to get Killer back aboard
They brought him high line. Call 1t a bosuns
chair if makes it any clearer Anyway when Kane stood
the deck of the Enterprise again there cheer I'll
forget 1t the greatest expression for
I've heard"
Don't forget either that Tom Hamilton is familiar with
cheers He Of Nays al-tms great backs and
All-American.
THE BIG E. AT ONE TIME believed to be the buwark Of
the United States against the Japs after Pearl Habo
to be athletic department. keep up chin
basis oficers like Kane and Hamilton welcomed volleybar
and basketball competition with enlisted men.
Kane never loser type He accepted defeat with
reluctant grin He sympathzed with others of lesser gifts
Usually he because that the way Bill Kane aimed
Some years ago. when Killer attached TO the Naval
Academy there was bosterous trip from Baltimore
Cleveland where the Middies to play Notre Dame
Two crack columnsts from York. deducing that their
roomettes did not suffice decided stay up all night what
with all the liquor miniatures unopened
What kind of Navy is this?" demanded Of Jerry
Flynn, then publicity director at Annapolis
Il don't know and don't care" Flynn retorted as he
fled to his compartment
KILLER KANE SAT UP with the bad boys as the BIO
wove through the mountains When Navy same day got
beat by Nore DAME the COACH Hamilton was At to be tied
Let's rasse 1t out COACH" Killer suggested "You can
take 1t out on me, II you can"
They had tough rase They returned to Headquarters
battered but faster friends than And Coach Hamilton
had let of good deal Of steam
As for Killer Kane, well this friendship could end
only way
Az 4 did late T,asdav