The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Colonel (Air Corps) John Riley Kane, United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry in action and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty Headquarters, 98th Bombardment Group (H), Ninth Air Force in action on 1 August 1943. On this date Colonel Kane led the third element of heavy bombardment aircraft in a mass low-level bombing attack against the vitally important enemy target of the Ploesti oil refineries in Rumania. En route to the target, which necessitated a round-trip flight of over 2,400 miles, Colonel Kane’s element became separated from the leading portion of the massed formation in avoiding dense and dangerous cumulous cloud conditions over mountainous terrain. Rather than turn back from such a vital mission he elected to proceed to his target. Upon arrival at the target area it was discovered that another group had apparently missed its target and had previously attacked and damaged the target assigned to Colonel Kane’s element. Despite the thoroughly warned defenses, the intensive anti-aircraft fire, enemy fighter airplanes, extreme hazards on a low-level attack of exploding delayed action bombs from the previous element, of oil fires and explosions and dense smoke over the target area, Colonel Kane elected to lead his formation into the attack. By his gallant courage, brilliant leadership, and superior flying skill, he and the formation under his command successfully attacked this vast refinery so essential to our enemies’ war effort. Through his conspicuous gallantry in this most hazardous action against the enemy, and by his intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Colonel Kane personally contributed vitally to the success of this daring mission and thereby rendered most distinguished service in the furtherance of the defeat of our enemies.