John Kane (Medal of Honor)

Carrying the colours into the assault on Fort Gregg

John Kane was born in Ireland in 1834 and served in the United States Army during the Civil War. As a corporal in Company K, 100th New York Infantry, he carried his regiment's colours during the assault on Fort Gregg at Petersburg, Virginia, on April 2, 1865.

His Medal of Honor recognized gallantry as a colour bearer in that attack. The citation is brief and records his role without describing additional individual actions. The medal was presented on May 12, 1865.

Kane attained the rank of sergeant. He died on May 8, 1881, in Clyde, New York, and is buried at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Galen, New York. His Medal of Honor preserves the record of his courage at Fort Gregg.

Official Medal of Honor citation:

Gallantry as color bearer in the assault on Fort Gregg.