Atlanta Family’s WWII Sacrifice Comes to Light: Kane Brothers to Be Honored July 7
July 7 Ceremony Will Pay Tribute to the Sacrifice of a Family in “Brothers in Arms” Exhibit
ATLANTA, GA, July 04, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — On Monday, July 7 at 4:00 PM, the story of the Kane brothers — a remarkable American family of Irish-German descent — will be brought to light during a special tribute at the Green Hills Recreational Center (1620 Delowe Drive S.W.) as part of the national “Brothers in Arms” WWII exhibit and storytelling tour, created by author and historian Kevin M. Callahan in partnership with the American Battle Monuments Commission.
The event will honor John Brady Kane and Joseph “Norman” Kane, two brothers who died while serving in Europe during World War II, and recognize the extraordinary service and sacrifice of their surviving brothers, Vincent and Richard Kane, who also served. Members of the Kane family will be present as their relatives are recognized publicly for the first time as part of this historic exhibit.
Though the Kane family originally hailed from Tennessee, they later lived in Atlanta, where patriarch Bernard Kane became a well-known civic and Catholic leader. The Kane story is one of heroism, faith, and quiet dignity in the face of unimaginable loss.
The Story Behind the Honor
• John Brady Kane, the oldest surviving brother, was wounded while rescuing his fellow soldiers during the Allied push out of Normandy. Despite catastrophic injuries, he tried to dictate a message to his mother, but died days later. He was awarded the Silver Star for valor.
• Joseph “Norman” Kane, a lieutenant in the 90th Infantry Division, survived the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge, only to fall while storming the Siegfried Line in Germany in 1945. He too received the Silver Star for heroism.
• Vincent Kane, injured during flight training, never saw combat but served stateside.
• Richard M. Kane was taken prisoner in Germany, escaped captivity, and later declined a Purple Heart from General Patton, saying, “I didn’t shed any blood. My brothers did.”
Their legacy is featured in Kevin M. Callahan’s acclaimed book, Brothers in Arms, which explores the stories of more than 700 sets of American brothers who served — and died — together in WWII, many of whom are now buried side by side in American military cemeteries overseas.
The exhibit, now touring the country, uses 700+ photographs, battlefield artifacts, and personal letters to tell these stories and remind today’s generation of the very human cost of war.
Event Details:
What: Special Tribute to the Kane Brothers – Part of “Brothers in Arms” National WWII Exhibit
When: Monday, July 7, 2025, at 4:00 PM
Where: Green Hills Recreational Center, 1620 Delowe Drive S.W., Atlanta, GA
Who: Kevin M. Callahan (author), Kane family members, veterans, historians, and community leaders
Admission: Free and open to the public
“Too many of these stories were quietly held within families,” says Callahan. “The Kane brothers gave so much, and yet their story has largely gone untold — until now. Our goal is to give them, and hundreds of other American families like theirs, the public honor they deserve.”
About Brothers in Arms:
Brothers in Arms is a national initiative launched by historian Kevin M. Callahan, honoring sets of American brothers who died together in World War II and are buried side by side. The exhibit, in partnership with the American Battle Monuments Commission, travels nationwide to reconnect families and communities with the sacrifices that defined a generation.
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