Colonel Thomas J. Kane is widely regarded as the father of U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Prior to World War II, while ordnance was abundant, its design was simple. As such, untrained personnel handled its removal and destruction, or it was left in place. The Battle of Britain during World War II saw a dramatic increase in both the complexity of munitions and presence of unexploded bombs within the civilian populace. Given the high casualty rates of the untrained volunteers that had to deal with the threat, the British Army and Navy recognized the need for specialized units to conduct bomb disposal activities, giving birth to the first bomb disposal school in Britain. Upon entry into World War II, the U.S. Army acknowledged the same need for specialized bomb disposal personnel, and Colonel Thomas J. Kane, holding the rank of Major at the time, was selected to attend the British bomb disposal school.

Upon his return, MAJ Kane contributed to the establishment of the first U.S. Army Bomb Disposal School at the Ordnance Training Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1941, serving as its first Commandant. The designation as bomb disposal was later changed to explosive ordnance disposal to capture the full breadth of the mission.

The Ordnance Order of Thomas J. Kane award is a display of recognition to select personnel who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed an outstanding professional competence, served the Explosive Ordnance Disposal career field with selflessness, and contributed to the promotion of Explosive Ordnance Disposal in ways that stand out to the recipient’s seniors, peers, and subordinates.

• Nominee: The Nominee must be a U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service Member. (Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, Separated / Retired)
• Nominator: The Nominator must be a U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (E-7 or above) or Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer (O-3 or above)
• Endorser: Any U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (Active and Retired) COL/BDE Level CSM/GS-15 equivalent or above or Hall of Fame Member may serve as the Endorser for the Thomas J. Kane Award.
• Nominators must use the Ordnance Corps Association’s Thomas J. Kane nomination form to articulate the candidate’s Time in EOD, Level of Responsibility, Complexity / Difficulty of positions in which they served, Impact / Contribution and Sacrifice in Service to EOD and the Nation. An additional page may be attached if more space is required. The nomination form must also include the full name, rank, duty position, phone number, email address and mailing address of the nominee, nominator, endorser and if appropriate the approval authority.
• Email the completed nomination form to awards@usaocaweb.org. You will receive an email response to let you know it was received along with further instruction for payment and delivery of approved awards.

• Email all completed nomination documents to awards@usaocaweb.org.
• You will receive an email response to confirm receipt of nomination form and will be provided further payment and processing instructions. If you do not receive a response to your submission email, please call our office at (804)733-5596 during business hours (M-Th, 1000-1400) to inquire.