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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, USN, (1884-1941)
Isaac Campbell Kidd was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on 26 March
1884. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1902, graduating with
the Class of 1906 in February of that year, and was commissioned
an Ensign in 1908. Kidd participated in the 1907-09 "Great
White Fleet" cruise around the World while serving in USS
New Jersey (BB-16).
Following service in USS North Dakota (BB-29) and USS Pittsburgh
(Armored Cruiser # 4), he became Aide and Flag Secretary to the
Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, the first of his many flag
staff assignments. He was an instructor at the Naval Academy in
1916-17.
During and after the First World War, Kidd was stationed on
USS New Mexico (BB-40), then had further staff and Naval
Academy service. He was executive officer of the battleship Utah (BB-31) in
1925-26, then commanded USS Vega (AK-17) until becoming
Captain of the Port at Chrisobal, Panama Canal Zone in 1927-30.
Promoted to the rank of Captain, he was Chief of Staff to Commander,
Base Force, U.S. Fleet in 1930-32. After three years at the Bureau
of Navigation in Washington, D.C., he was Commander Destroyer
Squadron ONE, Scouting Force, in 1935-36.
Captain Kidd next attended the Naval War College and served
on the College staff. He was Commanding Officer of USS Arizona
(BB-39) from September 1938 until February 1940, when he was
promoted to Rear Admiral and assigned as Commander Battleship
Division ONE and Chief of Staff to Commander, Battleships, Battle
Force. On 7 December 1941, he was killed in action on board Arizona
during the Pearl
Harbor Raid. Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd was posthumously awarded
the Medal of Honor for
his actions during the Pearl Harbor attack.
Two U.S. Navy destroyers have been named in honor of Rear Admiral
Kidd: USS Kidd (DD-661), 1943-1974 (still afloat as a memorial
at Baton Rouge, Louisiana); and USS Kidd (DDG-993), 1981--.
This page features all our views of Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd,
USN.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 85226-KN (Color)
Rear Admiral Issac C. Kidd, USN
Portrait in oils by Rishell, 1942.
The original painting measures about 48 inches by 38 inches.
Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C..
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 69KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 48579-KN (Color)
Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, USN (1884-1941)
Portrait in oils by Heiter. It was received from USS Kidd
(DD-661) after she was decommissioned in 1964.
Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 72KB; 575 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 97384
Isaac Campbell Kidd, USN
Portrait photograph in Full Dress uniform, taken circa the later
1920s, when he held the rank of Commander, or during the early
1930s, when he was a Captain.
The original photograph was in Bureau of Personnel officer records.
Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the
Naval Historical Center.
Online Image: 76KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 50176
Captain Isaac C. Kidd, USN
Photographed on board USS Argonne (AS-10), circa 1931.
He was then serving as Chief of Staff to the Commander, Base
Force, U.S. Fleet, Rear Admiral Henry H. Hough, USN.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 60KB; 600 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 97385
Captain Isaac C, Kidd, USN,
Commanding Officer, USS Arizona (BB-39)
Photographed on the deck of his ship, circa 1939.
Captain Kidd has inscribed the original print: "To my able
gunnery officer and friend Commander Abercrombie. Sincerely,
Isaac Campbell Kidd". Lieutenant Commander Laurence A. Abercrombie
was assigned to Arizona during the latter part of Kidd's
tour as her Commanding Officer.
Donation of Richard C. Beggarly, Jr., June 2000.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 78KB; 510 x 765 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 82917
Rear Admiral Henry H. Hough, USN,
Commander, Base Force, U.S. Fleet
With officers of his staff, on board USS Argonne (AS-10),
circa 1932.
Seated in the front row are (left to right):
Commander Leo L. Lindley, Aide & Force Material Officer;
Captain Issac C. Kidd, Chief of Staff;
Rear Admiral H.H. Hough, ComBaseFor;
Captain Ellsworth H. Van Patten, (SC), Aide & Force Supply Officer;
and
Lieutenant Commander Jacob H. Jacobson, in charge of Battle Force
Camera Party.
Among those in the rear row are (in no particular order): Lieutenant
Thomas F. Darden, Jr., Aide & Flag Secretary;
Lieutenant Walter E. Moore, Aide & Force Personnel Officer; and
Lieutenant Llewellyn J. Johns, Aide and Flag Lieutenant.
Donation of Mrs. Homer H. Cole, 1974.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 595 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 58250
Senior Marine Corps and Navy officers
Photographed circa 1939.
Present are (from left to right):
Major General Louis McC. Little, USMC;
Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN;
Captain Isaac C. Kidd, USN;
Brigadier General John C. Beaumont, USMC; and
Colonel Thomas S. Clarke, USMC.
Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 510 pixels |
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Medal of Honor citation of Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd
(as printed in his official Navy Office of Information Biography,
June 1974):
"For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage,
and complete disregard of his own life, during the attack on
the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, by Japanese Forces
on December 7, 1941. He immediately went to the bridge and as
Commander Battleship Division ONE, courageously discharged his
duties as Senior Officer Present Afloat until the USS ARIZONA,
his Flagship, blew up from magazine explosions and a direct bomb
hit on the bridge, which resulted in the loss of his life."
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Historical Center home page.
17 October 2000