Happy 100th Birthday Mr. James C. Lane!
By Daniel Ackerman, Acting PAO
In 1925, a year filled with remarkable events and cultural shifts, Calvin Coolidge was President of the United States, Babe Ruth was infamously fined $5000 and suspended for missing batting practice, "The Great Gatsby" was published, and the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series.
It was also the year that marked the birth of Mr. James C. Lane, whose life would become a unique thread in the rich tapestry of American history.
Mr. Lane recently celebrated his 100th birthday, a milestone that reflects a century of change and progress. To honor his momentous occasion and his dedicated service to the country, Mr. Lane was presented a letter and a commemorative coin from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The presentation was made by Mr. Daren Giancola, Assistant Director, and Dr. Angela May, Deputy Chief of Staff, of the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center at his residence in Morristown, Tennessee.
Mr. Lane served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, stationed aboard the USS Connolly (DE-306), an Evarts-class destroyer escort. His duties involved protecting vital convoys and other ships from Japanese submarines and fighter aircraft in the volatile waters of the Pacific. For his service, he received several honors, including the American Area Ribbon, the Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Ribbon.
During the commemoration, Mr. Lane shared a fascinating story from his time in the Navy. He recalled an incident involving the assignment of sailors to different ships—a lottery that ultimately decided their fates. "There were two Navy ships, the USS Indianapolis and the USS Connolly," Mr. Lane recounted. "They were drawing names for who went to which ship. A shipmate and I were on a work detail and not present when our names were pulled to go to the Indianapolis. Our names were put back into the lottery, and we were ultimately selected to be sent to the Connolly."
This fortunate twist of fate proved to be critically significant. The USS Indianapolis would later suffer one of the worst disasters in U.S. Navy history, struck by two Japanese torpedoes and sinking in just 12 minutes into the Philippine Sea.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Mr. Lane returned to Hamblen County and worked for Forrest Products. He later retired from Morristown Foam in 1999, bringing to close a long and industrious career.
Surrounded by his loving family, Mr. Lane enjoys the company of three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. His life story, interwoven with remarkable historical events and personal triumphs, stands as a testament to resilience, luck, and the enduring spirit of a true American patriot.