Major General Francis P. Kane: Citizen Soldier
Consisting of a wide variety of military documents, photographs, uniforms, insignia, medals and flags, the Francis P. Kane Collection is a centerpiece of the Museum & Library's permanent collection.
Born in Chicago on July 12, 1907, Francis Kane joined the Enlisted Reserve Corps in 1927, and in 1932, the Illinois National Guard. During World War II, he served in the war's Pacific Theater with the 108th Combat Engineers of the 33rd Division of the U.S. Army. For his service, Kane earned several citations, including the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. After the war he continued to serve with the 33rd Division of the Illinois National Guard, finally as a Major General and the Guard's commander in the mid-1960s.
The 33rd Infanty Division has a long history, which for some of its sub-units stretched back to the Spanish-American War and the War in the Philippines. During both World Wars, the division consisted of National Guard units from Illinois and was nicknamed the Illiniois or "Prairie" Division. In recent years, the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team has served in Iraq. The division's insignia is a golden cross on a black circle.
Among the United States' highest military decorations for valor and merit, Kane's authentic Silver Star, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star are all featured in the collection.
Adopted in 1902, the M-1902 Officer's Saber was to be carried by all officers with the exception of Chaplains. Although these sabers are no longer issued to all officers or required for dress, some still wear the Army saber on occasions of ceremony, such as weddings and funerals, or receive them as commemorative gifts.
Ultimately attaining the rank of Major General with the Illinois Army National Guard, Kane donated an impressive collection of photographs, documents, artifacts, and military decorations.
The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia from the 33rd Infantry Division is said to have been created by a regiment to mark its property during the Moro Campaign in the Philippines. Ordered to mark their equipment with divisional insignia during the war, they used leftover yellow paint, knowing that the color was considered taboo by the enemy.
The Kane Collection includes a wide range of memorabilia, like these lapel pins from the 108th Combat Engineer Battalion.
The General Francis P. Kane Collection also includes some interesting non-military artifacts, like this naturalization document declaring American citizenship for Kane's Irish-born father, Frank.
