James Albert Kane was born on November 24, 1921, in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Bryan Francis Kane and Marie Antonia McDermott Kane.

James had four years of high school, had a civil occupation, and was single without dependents upon enlistment. He entered service in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 28, 1942. He served in Company C, 2nd Ranger Battalion, as a Staff Sergeant during World War II. He was Killed in Action on June 6, 1944, at the age of 22, at Pointe de la Percée, during the American assault on Omaha beach in France. SSgt Kane is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.