On Aug. 22, a yearlong effort by members of Wells-Hussey American Legion Post 42 in Damariscotta culminated in an emotional and moving ceremony to return Military Service medals to the widow of Captain Edward Kane.
Gertrude Kane, 92, Pemaquid, received the medals from Herman Wright, Past State Commander for the American Legion in a somber ceremony. She was also presented with a Gold Rose pin, symbolizing her lifelong and reciprocated love for her soldier.
An American Flag, flown over the nation’s capital and the World War II Veterans Memorial at Arlington Cemetery had been rushed to Maine as a special tribute, arriving just Monday morning. As taps were played, the flag was unfurled, and folded ceremoniously by two retired officers in full dress, much as it would have been at a service in Arlington. As the guests stood quietly, the triangular folded flag was marched in full military honor to Commander Wright who presented it to Mrs. Kane, “with the thanks of a grateful nation.”
Kane served as a medic in World War II. Medics served under the direst of conditions. They were often the first to charge through gunfire and ordinance, with no way to protect themselves but the cover fire of their companions.
For his service, upon his discharge, Captain Kane was awarded the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory medal, European African Middle East medal, American Defense medal and most prestigious, The Silver Star. The Silver Star is third highest award the nation can bestow, behind the Distinguished Service Cross (also awarded as the Navy Cross, or the Air Force Cross) and the Medal of Honor.
Sometime after the war, Kane’s medals disappeared. Like many veterans, the memories of the horrors witnessed in war haunted him. For some veterans, medals recognizing valor and service were often reminders too painful to bear and many veterans lost, or threw away their badges of honor.
In the case of Capt. Kane, no one knows what happened to his original medals. If Kane knew, he never said. He may have simply lost them, or just tucked them away where he need never be reminded again. However, he was proud of his service and his family was determined to reclaim this part of their history.
Kane’s daughter, Kathleen Kane Brown, a 30-year resident of Pemaquid, spearheaded the effort to have her father’s medals reissued.
After the war, Kane enjoyed a long career as a banker in New York with Chemical Bank. He passed away in 1975. August 23, the day after the Damariscotta ceremony, would have been his 101st birthday.
The citation for the Award of The Silver Star and other documentation needed to be located in order to replace the important medals. The members of Wells-Hussey Post 42 spent a year searching for the needed documents. They were told that all the records were lost in a fire in St. Louis.
According to the National Archives, on July 12, 1973, a fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. No duplicate copies of these records were ever maintained, nor were microfilm copies produced.
After a letter writing campaign and phone calls to Congress and each individual Congressional Representative plus gently suggesting that the press might bring pressure to bear to assist in the search, the documentation was miraculously recovered.
On a battered extract of the Silver Star commendation for Captain Kane during his service in Germany it reads: “Having hastily evacuated the town due to heavy and accurate enemy fire, he returned to the town. A search of the ruined houses was made and four casualties were found and moved to the emergency aid station, through intensely heavy fire.”
Kane continued to care for the four wounded soldiers under constant shelling until they could be evacuated by ambulance. “His disregard for personal safety resulted in the saving four lives and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the Medical Corps.”
The many guests in attendance at Wells-Hussey Post 42 on Monday night were deeply moved by the lovely ceremony and Gertrude Kane, with her children by her side, was overcome by the honor.
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual help. It is the nation’s largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in their communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to their fellow service members and veterans.
“We are here to help all our veterans, in many ways, and hope they will call on us,” said Commander Wright, “If a veteran would like to replace his medals, no matter how they were lost, we would like to assist and would like them to contact us. We, at the American Legion, can help with many things, including basic needs.”
These feelings were echoed by Jerry Elwell and Jerry Miller, “We are here for each other,” said Elwell. “Just like we stood by each other in the Service, we are here for you now,” said Miller. The Wells-Hussey American Legion Post 42 can be reached at 563-3738.