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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.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 
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

 



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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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17 October 2000