USS Kidd DD-661

The USS Kidd (DD-661) was a destroyer in the Fletcher-class named for the first Navy flag officer killed during the Second World War. Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd was killed on the deck of the USS Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on the morning of 7 December 1941. The vessel was built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company of Kearny, New Jersey and launched on 28 February 1943.

The Pirate Mascot

An interesting and unique part of the Kidd's history was that she identified her mascot as the pirate captain William Kidd. On her first voyage from the point of her launch to the Brooklyn Naval Shipyards, the crew flew a "skull and crossbones" from the foremast. Subsequently, a local artist was commissioned to paint a pirate on the forward smokestack.

Service in World War II

The Kidd undertook her shakedown cruise off the coast of Casco Bay, Maine and was then assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, escorting large combat vessels. In August 1943, the Kidd was reassigned to the Pacific and in escort of the battleships Alabama and South Dakota transited the Panama Canal, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 17 September. On 29 September, the Kidd began escorting aircraft carriers to Wake Island for the aerial bombardment that would begin on 6 October. She returned to Pearl Harbor on 11 October.

Only a week later, the Kidd was underway again, this time with a task force designated for an attack on Rabaul. During this action, the Kidd came under heavy attack from Japanese forces. While operating on her own, she was spotted and several Japanese planes dove toward her. Her guns opened fire on the planes and downed three while the destroyer was still maneuvering to avoid incoming torpedoes and bombs. The Kidd returned to Espiritu Santo on 13 November.

By August 1944, the Kidd was in several major actions in the Pacific and was in dire need of repairs. She arrived at Pearl Harbor on 26 August 1944. Three weeks later, she was off again, this time joining the massive invasion fleet bound for the Philippines. She provided support for the extensive operations in the Philippines and by 9 December was bound for the United States for overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard. She arrived at Mare Island on Christmas Day.

Back in the Pacific the following year, in preparation for the invasion and capture of Okinawa, the Kidd took up a picket station on 11 April 1945 and was successful in repelling three separate air raids. In the afternoon of 11 April, a Japanese kamikaze aircraft impacted the Kidd and killed 38 men and wounded 55. She was forced to Ulithi to make temporary repairs and then returned to the United States, arriving at Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard on 25 May.

On 1 August 1945, just weeks before the end of the Second World War, the Kidd entered Pearl Harbor on her way to decommissioning in San Diego. She arrived there on 24 September and was decommissioned 10 December 1946, entering the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

The Kidd was recommissioned on 28 March 1951 as part of the naval redeployment associated with the outbreak of the Korean War. The destroyer was deployed to the western Pacific and began patrols around the coast of the Korean peninsula. She continued this duty until she left the Far East for the last time on 3 March 1953. Passing through Midway and Pearl Harbor, the Kidd arrived in San Diego for overhaul on 20 March 1953. She remained in the Reserve Fleet until she was reactivated in 1962.

The Final Disposition of the USS Kidd

The Kidd returned to Norfolk on 5 February 1962 and engaged in anti-submarine training and maneuvers. On 24 April she was assigned to the Destroyer School at Newport, Rhode Island and then after a further cruise to the Caribbean on 1 July 1962 she resumed her duty as a naval training vessel.

The Kidd was decommissioned on 19 June 1964 and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Philadelphia. In the years that followed, the Navy sat aside three of the Fletcher-class destroyers as memorials. The Kidd, along with the Cassin Young (DD-793) and The Sullivans (DD-537), were chosen for this purpose. The Kidd was towed from her berth in Philadelphia to Baton Rouge, Louisiana on 23 May 1982 and was then transferred to the control of the Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission. She is now on public display as a memorial and museum ship.

One interesting point for historians regarding the Kidd is that she is the only World War II-era destroyer to have never been modernized in the years after the war. This means that she is the only vessel to retain her World War II-era appearance. During her time as a museum ship, she has been restored to her state as of August 1945, including guns and configuration and reloaded torpedo tubes. The restoration was completed on 3 July 1997.

Asbestos Risks

The naturally occurring mineral asbestos was commonly used on Navy vessels for various reasons and in many different locations. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos has been noted to cause the development of asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. The manufacturers that produced asbestos-containing materials knew these side effects but elected not to disclose the information or protect workers and sailors.

Because of this, many who have contracted an asbestos-related disease have received compensation to help pay for treatment options and lost income. If you would like to learn more about compensation, treatment options and asbestos exposure, please fill out the request form on this page to receive a complimentary packet.

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Destroyers Index