Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1945 Lucky Bag:

Michael Joseph Kane

Varsity Rifle Team 4, 3, 1, 2r45t; Battalion Crew 1; Glee Club 1; Lucky Bag 1; French Club 4, 3; Radio Club 4; Newman Club 4, 3, 1.

“Let me go down to the sea in ships” is undoubtedly the predominant wish of this strapping Connecticut Irishman. Instilled with a great Navy spirit, “Killer” would need only a few minutes, and he could sell the Navy to any man. Mike’s greatest asset is his profound determination to learn everything there is to know about his profession. Easy-going and with a great sense of humor, his troubles with the Academic Department were as few as with the fairer sex. Mike’s great qualities will see him far, and in all seriousness and with due respect to a great roommate, I know no man whom I would rather see wearing the gold braid of a naval officer.

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The 2r45t is not a transcription error; unclear what it indicates. The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.

Loss

Michael was lost on July 22, 1952 when the plane he was piloting collided with another near Quonset, Rhode Island. The other pilot was also lost. (Believe they were both members of Fighter Squadron (VF) 73.)

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

At Cheshire Academy, Michael played left fullback in soccer, was the electrician for the school play, and was voted Woman Hater (with two other male students). He then attended the Admiral Billard Academy, New London, for one year. He was appointed to the Naval Academy by Senator Francis T. Maloney.

His father was vice president of the family’s brick manufacturing company. His mother was Ruth.

From the Hartford Courant on July 23, 1952:

Lt Michael Joseph Kane Jr., was born April 18, 1922, the son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Joseph Kane of 12 Merrill St. He attended Our Lady of Sorrows Grammar School, Hartford Public High School, and was graduated from Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, in June 1940. He was a member of the Connecticut Nautical Cadets from 1936 to 1941. He entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis on July 3, 1941. He was graduated from the academy on June 7, 1944.

He was stationed with the Atlantic Fleet during World War II and entered the Naval Air Service in 1946. He received his wings at Pensacola, Florida.

After serving three years with the fleet, Lt. Kane served as a test pilot at the Patuxent, Md., Naval Air Test Station.

In April 1952 he was assigned to squadron duty at the Quonsett Point Naval Air Station, Quonsett Point, R.I.

Besides his parents, Lt. Kane leaves two brothers, Lawrence L. and Joseph F. Kane and a sister Mary A. Kane.

Michael is buried in Connecticut.

Photographs

From his high school yearbook

From the Hartford Courant on July 6, 1941

From the Hartford Courant on July 23, 1952

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Harold Hall ‘45 was also in 18th Company.