Recognition Guide Warships of the Second World War

United States Navy — Destroyer

USS Kidd (DD-661) — service history

This is the full service history. For the vessel's particulars, photograph and specifications, see the entry.

In the words of the US Navy. The account below is reproduced verbatim from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command — a work of the United States Government, in the public domain, and the only text on this site not written here.

Before commissioning

USS Kidd (DD-661)
Amidships view of the U.S. Navy destoyer USS Kidd (DD-661) at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 22 May 1952, showing her radar arrangement. Note that the only significant modernization during her post-war career from 1951 to 1964 was the installation of the Mark 25 fire control radar atop the Mark 37 gun director. U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships photo 19-NN - DD-661 Kidd - 143829 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Isaac Campbell Kidd , born in Cleveland, Ohio, 26 March 1884, entered the Naval Academy in 1902. He served in Columbia, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pittsburgh, San Diego, New Mexico, Utah, and Vega. During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor , 7 December 1941, Rear Admiral Kidd was Commander of Battleship Division 1 and Chief of Staff and Aide, Commander, Battleship Battle Force. At the first knowledge of the attack, he rushed to the bridge of Arizona (BB-39), his flagship, and "courageously discharged his duties as Senior Officer Present Afloat until Arizona blew up from a magazine explosion and a direct bomb hit on the bridge which resulted in the loss of his life."

He was awarded the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart for his "conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage, and complete disregard of his own life..."

Second World War 1939–1945

1943

USS Kidd (DD-661)
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) stands off the New York Naval Shipyard (USA), on 8 May 1943. U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships photo 19-N-45661 available at Destroyerhistory.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Kidd (DD-661) was launched 28 February 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Kearny, N.J.; sponsored by Mrs. Isaac C. Kidd, widow of Hear Admiral Kidd, and commissioned 23 April 1943, Comdr. Allan Roby in command.

After shakedown out of Casco, Maine, in June, Kidd cruised in the Atlantic and Caribbean escorting large combatant vessels until she departed for the Pacific in August 1943 in company with Alabama (BB-60) and South Dakota (BB-57). Arriving Pearl Harbor 17 September 1943, she got underway 29 September escorting aircraft carriers toward Wake Island for the heavy air attacks 5 October and returned to Pearl Harbor 11 October 1943.

Mid-October found Kidd underway with a formidable task force to strike Rabaul and to support the Bougainville landings. Upon reaching a strike position south of Rabaul on the morning of 11 November, the task force struck hard at Japanese positions on the island. Kidd dropped astern of her formation to rescue the crew of a plane from aircraft carrier Essex (CV-9) which had splashed as the American carrier launched a strike at Rabaul. A group of planes from an extremely heavy Japanese counterattacking force dove at the destroyer in an attempt to sink her while she was on her own. Striking back hard, she splashed three Japanese planes and successfully completed the rescue while skillfully maneuvering to dodge torpedoes and bombs. Comdr. Roby, her commanding officer, received the Silver Star for gallantry during this action. The destroyer returned to Espiritu Santo 13 November.

Kidd next screened carriers making air attacks on Tarawa during the Gilbert Island invasion from 19 to 23 November. On the 24th she spotted 15 low flying enemy bombers heading toward the heavy ships, gave warning, and shot down 2 "Vals." After Tarawa was secure, Kidd remained in the Gilbert Islands to support cleanup operations before returning to Pearl Harbor 9 December.

1944 Marshall Islands

USS Kidd (DD-661)
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) underway off Roi Island, Kwajalein, en route to the Saipan Invasion, 12 June 1944. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 10D. Anchored in the left background is the battleship USS Tennessee (BB-43), with a destroyer alongside and an escort carrier beyond. The photo was taken from USS New Mexico (BB-40). Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-253680 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

On 11 January 1944 Kidd sailed for the forward area, touched at Espiritu Santo, then sailed next day for Funafuti, arriving 19 January. During the invasion of the Marshall Islands 29 January to 8 February, Kidd screened heavy ships and bombarded Roi and Wotje, then anchored at Kwajalein 26 February.

From 20 March to 14 April Kidd guarded an airstrip under construction on Emirau and supported the occupation of Aitape and Hollandia in New Guinea 16 April to 7 May. She fought in the Marianas campaign 10 June to 8 July and helped soften up Guam for invasion 8 July to 10 August.

In need of repairs, Kidd sailed for Pearl Harbor, arriving 26 August 1944. On 15 September she departed Pearl, reached Eniwetok 25 September, and arrived Manus 3 October. There she became part of the giant Philippines invasion fleet and entered Leyte Gulf 20 October. Here she screened the initial landings and provided fire support for soldiers who fought to reconquer the island until she sailed 14 November for Humboldt Bay, New Guinea, arriving 19 November. On 9 December Kidd headed toward Mare Island Navy Yard for overhaul and moored at Mare Island Christmas Day.

1945 Okinawa

USS Kidd (DD-661)
A Japanese Mitsubishi A6M piloted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Shigehisa Yaguchi about to crash into the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) off Okinawa, Japan, on 11 April 1945. The plane hit on the starboard side below the bridge. Its 500 kg bomb continued through the boiler room exiting the port side of the hull and exploded close aboard. The attack killed 38 of Kidd 's crew and wounded 55. Ano Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 75767 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

Kidd sailed 19 February 1945 to join Task Force 58 for the invasion of Okinawa . Trained and battlewise. Kidd played a key role during the first days of the Okinawa campaign, screening battleships, bombarding key targets ashore, rescuing downed pilots, sinking floating mines, providing early warning of enemy air raids, guarding heavily damaged Franklin, and shooting down kamikazes.

While on picket station 11 April 1945, Kidd and her division mates, Black (DD-666), Bullard (DD-660) and Chauncey (DD-667), with the help of Combat Air Patrol, repelled three air raids. That afternoon a single enemy plane crashed Kidd, killing 38 men and wounding 55. As the destroyer headed south to rejoin the task group, her effective fire drove off enemy planes trying to finish her. Stopping at Ulithi for temporary patchwork, she got underway 2 May for the West Coast, arriving Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard 25 May.

On 1 August 1945, Kidd sailed to Pearl Harbor and returned to San Diego 24 September 1945 for inactivation. She decommissioned 10 December 1946 and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Korean War period 1950–1953

1951

When the United States had allowed her military strength to shrink beyond the danger point, the Communist struck in Korea. Fortunately, there were ships in reserve, though it took time to obtain and train crews and provide material. Kidd recommissioned 28 March 1951, Lt. Comdr. Robert E. Jeffery in command; sailed to the Western Pacific 18 June; and arrived Yokopuka 15 July. She joined Task Force 77 and patrolled off the Korean coast until 21 September when she sailed for the East Coast of Korea. From 21 October to 22 January 1952, Kidd bombarded targets of opportunity from Wan-Do Island to below Koesong. She then sailed with Destroyer Division 152 to San Diego, arriving 6 February 1952.

1952

Kidd again got underway for Korea 8 September 1952; joined the screen of a hunter-killer group near Kojo; and, in November, was back on bombardment missions off North Korea. Shortly thereafter, truce talks began. Kidd continued to patrol the Korean coast during negotiations, strengthening the position of American representatives by showing the Communists that we were ready and able to intensify operations. She departed Far East 3 March 1953 via Midway and Pearl Harbor and arrived San Diego for overhaul 20 March.

1953

Overhaul completed, Kidd proceeded to Long Beach 20 April 1953. Next day Swedish freighter Hainan rammed Kidd in Long Beach harbor requiring repairs until 11 May 1953.

From late 1953 to late 1959 Kidd alternated Westpac cruises with operations on the West Coast making stops at Pearl Harbor and various ports in Japan, Okinawa, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.

Cold War 1954–1963

1960

Kidd got underway 5 January 1960 for the East Coast via the Panama Canal, arriving Philadelphia 25 January. From there she made Naval Reserve training cruises to various East Coast ports. She joined fleet operating forces during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. December 1961 found Kidd patrolling off the Dominican Republic in a "show-of-force" patrol to provide an element of security in the troubled Caribbean.

1962

Kidd arrived Norfolk 5 February 1962 and joined Task Force Alpha for ASW exercises. On 24 April she was assigned to the Naval Destroyer School at Newport. After a cruise to the Caribbean, on 1 July 1962 she resumed Naval Reserve training. Kidd decommissioned 19 June 1964, entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, and at present is berthed at Philadelphia.

Other photographs

Held for this vessel, and not tied to any part of the account above.

USS Kidd (DD-661)
The U.S. Navy Fletcher -class destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) dropping depth charges during maneouvers, in 1958. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News / (Archive) September 1958 , p. 19 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
The former U.S. Navy Fletcher -class destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) resting on dry-dock at Baton Rouge, Louisiana (USA). Sf46 ( talk , also original uploader at en.wikipedia — Transferred from en.wikipedia (Original text : I created this work entirely by myself. ) — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
The port side of the USS Kidd on dry land. Sheepdog225 — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
The USS Kidd being moved downriver by tug boats Sheepdog225 — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
USS Kidd Seen from the observation tower at the Louisiana Veterans Museum. PicsOfShipsAndOrPlanes — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
Port side of USS Kidd Sheepdog225 — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
The Spanish training vessel Juan Sebastián Elcano docked at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania (USA), on Family Day 19 May 1963. The event was held for the employees of the Philadelphia Navy Yard and their families. The mothballed carrier in background is the USS Tarawa (CVS-40) and the tall ship in the foreground is the Spanish training vessel Juan Sebastián Elcano and beyond the tall ship Harley Flowers from Mobile, USA — CC BY-SA 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
Very low river stage on the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge. USS Kidd seen with exposed blocks. Passenger vessel American Queen docked at the paperclip dock. NachoServant — Own work — CC0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
The bow of the USS Kidd on dry land. Sheepdog225 — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
U.S. Navy destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) arriving in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on May 23 1982 Road Travel America — https://www.flickr.com/photos/89508513@N02/51308033303/ — CC BY 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661), circa in 1961. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy All Hands magazine December 1961 , p. 68 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
Insignia of the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661), in the 1960s. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 64750-KN — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) underway, circa in 1958, while she was in the Pacific. Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 69844 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
USS Kidd (DD-661)
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) underway, circa at the time of her commissioning in April 1943. Note that the radars have not yet been installed. U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from Navsource.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons

References

Every work this entry draws on. There are no numbered markers in the text above: what we hold is the provenance of the page — this history, this article, these photographs.

  1. History Kidd I (DD-661) Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Naval History and Heritage Command. A work of the United States Government, in the public domain — the only text on this site reproduced verbatim.
  2. Facts USS Kidd (DD-661) Structured facts only — dates, dimensions, armament and fate. No wording is taken from it. Harvested 1 August 2026.
  3. Photograph USS Kidd (DD-661) underway c1951 Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 107198 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photograph USS Kidd (DD-661) underway off Roi on 12 June 1944 Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo 80-G-253680 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photograph USS Kidd (DD-661) dropping depth charges, in 1958 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News / (Archive) September 1958 , p. 19 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  6. Photograph USS Kidd (DD-661) at Baton Rouge on dock 2008 Sf46 ( talk , also original uploader at en.wikipedia — Transferred from en.wikipedia (Original text : I created this work entirely by myself. ) — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  7. Photograph The port side of the USS Kidd on dry land. Sheepdog225 — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
  8. Photograph USS Kidd moving on the Mississippi River Sheepdog225 — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
  9. Photograph USSKiddFromObTower PicsOfShipsAndOrPlanes — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
  10. Photograph Port side of USS Kidd Sheepdog225 — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
  11. Photograph Family Day 1963 (50061731181) Harley Flowers from Mobile, USA — CC BY-SA 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons
  12. Photograph Kamikaze about to crash into USS Kidd (DD-661) off Okinawa, Japan, on 11 April 1945 (NH 75767) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 75767 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  13. Photograph Low Water USS Kidd & AQ NachoServant — Own work — CC0 — Wikimedia Commons
  14. Photograph The bow of the USS Kidd on dry land. Sheepdog225 — Own work — CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons
  15. Photograph U.S. Navy destroyer USS Kidd (DD-661) arriving in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on May 23 1982 Road Travel America — https://www.flickr.com/photos/89508513@N02/51308033303/ — CC BY 2.0 — Wikimedia Commons
  16. Photograph USS Kidd (DD-661) at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 22 May 1952 (24742625) U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships photo 19-NN - DD-661 Kidd - 143829 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  17. Photograph USS Kidd (DD-661) in cold weather c1961 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy All Hands magazine December 1961 , p. 68 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  18. Photograph USS Kidd (DD-661) insignia, in the 1960s (NH 64750-KN) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 64750-KN — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  19. Photograph USS Kidd (DD-661) off the New York Navy Yard on 8 May 1943 U.S. Navy — Official U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships photo 19-N-45661 available at Destroyerhistory.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  20. Photograph USS Kidd (DD-661) underway, circa in 1958 (NH 69844) Unknown author — U.S. Navy photo NH 69844 — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons
  21. Photograph USS Kidd (DD-661) underway, circa in April 1943 U.S. Navy — U.S. Navy photo [1] from Navsource.org — Public domain — Wikimedia Commons