Charles "Chuck" Owen Kane

Chuck Kane Drowns in Oklahoma Lake Sunday

Charles (Chuck) Kane, 22, son of Joe A. Kane, Cheyenne River rancher, was drowned in an accident at Fort Sill, Okla. at 7:00 p.m. Sunday.

Only scant details concerning the accident have been learned here. A telegram from Major General Harry H. Critz says, "Death occurred as a result of a drowning accident at Lake Johnson located on the military reservation."

Rosary services will be held from the McCullen Funeral Home in Edgemont at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday. Catholic mass will be held in Edgemont at 9:00 a.m. Friday and graveside services will be held in Lusk about 11:00 a.m. Friday.

Charles Owen Kane was born in Lusk April 16, 1943. He was graduated from NCHS with the Class of 1961. During his school years he was an outstanding athlete and was especially outstanding in football.

In 1962 he enrolled in the University of Wyoming and was a member of the freshman football team. Following his mother's death in 1962 he returned to the Kane ranch and later went into the Army and at the time of his death was a Private First Class.

He is survived by his father; six brothers, Jerome of Edgemont, John Gary, address unknown, William of Rushville, Nebr., Eugene of the home ranch, Richard of the U. S. Army, G. Mike of the home ranch.

The Lusk Herald
December 30, 1965

Commendation Medal Awarded Chuck Kane Posthumously Wed.

Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor has awarded the Army Commendation Medal, posthumously, to Private First Class Charles O. Kane, whose home was in northern Niobrara.

Presentation of the medal and citation were made, to his father Joe Kane, at the Kane ranch south of Mule Creek Junction last Wednesday morning. Making the presentation was Major D. B. Helsel, Black Hills Army Depot.

Accompanying the medal, awarded for meritorious achievement, was the following citation: "Private First Class Charles O. Kane, while serving as a member of Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 44th Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, distinguished himself by meritorious achievement on 11 July 1965, at Lake Jed Johnson, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma. Private Kane and companions were swimming in Lake Jed Johnson when another soldier became entangled in submerged weeds and moss. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private Kane unhesitatingly went to the rescue of his fellow soldier. After a struggle to save the life of his friend, he too lost his life.

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