Zane Daniel Kang

West Point, 2002

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jeff Kim on January 10, 2021:

I first met Zane during Beast - we were assigned to H ("Hotel) Company, and he and I became fast friends. Not from California, I grew to learn about the "Valley" from Zane. As many have stated on here Zane was a true gentleman, and he exuded a quiet confidence that drew people to him. Obviously, I succumbed to his charms. As Cows, we had lived in Scott Barracks. And as I recall fondly, he was assigned to the "Lost 50s" a coveted area for upperclassmen looking to avoid the attention of a Tactical Officer/NCO looking for dirty rooms. During our Cow year, we often took OPPs/passes and stayed with a mutual friend in NYC, or at the USO - near Grand Central. One particular night I recall getting separated from Zane and another fellow classmate. After they didn't show up I eventually fell asleep. Only to wake up the next morning and hear an exciting story of how they both feel asleep on the Uptown train (we were staying at the Columbia dorms that particular weekend) and they had missed the 116th Street stop - only to end up in Harlem / 125th Street, at 2am. Having to orient themselves, they realized it would be easier to run/jog back 9 blocks - the subway trains ran on a delayed schedule late at night. Of course this was likely Jan/Feb and I'm sure it was well below freezing - and I'm sure they weren't prepared for the weather. But if anyone was prepared to "Ranger" back to Columbia, I knew Zane would not have hesitated. Zane will always be part of my youth/memories of USMA. His charming smile, easy going demeanor and friendship are things I will always cherish. Be thou at peace, Zane.

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