View source for Isaac C. Kidd

{{Short description|US Navy RADM, Medal of Honor recipient (1884–1941)}} 
{{For-text|his son, also an admiral|[[Isaac C. Kidd Jr.]] (1919–1999)}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2009}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Isaac C. Kidd
|image= Isaac C. Kidd.NH50176.jpg
|image_size= 200px
|alt= 
|caption= Captain Isaac C. Kidd while he was chief of staff to the commander, Base Force, U.S. Fleet
|nickname= 
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1884|3|26}}
|birth_place= [[Cleveland, Ohio]]
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1941|12|7|1884|3|26}}
|death_place= [[Pearl Harbor]], [[Territory of Hawaii]]
|placeofburial= Hull of USS ''Arizona''
|placeofburial_label= Resting place
|allegiance= United States
|branch= [[United States Navy]]
|serviceyears= 1906–1941
|rank= [[Rear admiral (United States)|Rear admiral]]
|servicenumber= 
|unit= 
|commands= {{USS|Vega|AK-17}}<br />[[Cristóbal, Colón|Port of Cristóbal]], [[Panama Canal Zone]]<br />Officer Detail Section, [[Bureau of Navigation (United States Navy)|Bureau of Navigation]]<br />[[Destroyer Squadron 1]]<br />{{USS|Arizona|BB-39}}<br />Battleship Division 1
|battles= [[World War I]]<br/>[[World War II]]
*[[Attack on Pearl Harbor]]{{KIA}}
|awards= [[Medal of Honor]]<br />[[Purple Heart]]
|relations= Admiral [[Isaac C. Kidd Jr.]] (son)
|laterwork= 
}}
'''Isaac Campbell Kidd''' (March 26, 1884 &ndash; December 7, 1941) was a [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral]] in the [[United States Navy]]. He was the father of Admiral [[Isaac C. Kidd Jr.]] Kidd Sr. was killed on the bridge of {{USS|Arizona|BB-39|6}} during the Japanese [[attack on Pearl Harbor]].  The highest-ranking casualty at Pearl Harbor, he became the first U.S. Navy [[flag officer]] [[List of U.S. general officers and flag officers killed in World War II|killed in action in World War II]] as well as the first killed in action against any foreign enemy.

He was a [[Posthumous recognition|posthumous]] recipient of his nation's highest military honor—the [[Medal of Honor]]. A {{sclass|Fletcher|destroyer}}, {{USS|Kidd|DD-661|3}}, was commissioned in his honor on April 23, 1943. The second ship named after him, {{USS|Kidd|DDG-993|3}}, lead ship of four {{sclass|Kidd|destroyer|1}}s, was commissioned on March 27, 1981.  An {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|0}} [[guided missile destroyer]], {{USS|Kidd|DDG-100|3}}, was the third ship named after him and was commissioned on June 9, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navy.mil/ |title=U.S. Navy: Welcome Aboard |website=www.navy.mil |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970104104533/http://www.navy.mil/ |archive-date=4 January 1997 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early years and military service==
Kidd was born in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], in 1884.  He entered the [[United States Naval Academy|U.S. Naval Academy]] in 1902, graduating with the Class of 1906 in February of that year. He was commissioned an ensign in 1908. Kidd participated in the 1907–1909 [[Great White Fleet]] cruise around the world while serving on the [[battleship]] {{USS|New Jersey|BB-16|2}}. Following service on the battleship {{USS|North Dakota|BB-29|2}} and [[armored cruiser]] {{USS|Pennsylvania|ACR-4|2}}, Kidd became the Aide and Flag Secretary to the Commander in Chief, [[U.S. Pacific Fleet|Pacific Fleet]], the first of his many flagstaff assignments. He was an instructor at the [[U.S. Naval Academy]] in 1916–1917.

During and after [[World War I]], Kidd was stationed on {{USS|New Mexico|BB-40|2}}, and then he had further staff and Naval Academy service. He was the executive officer of the battleship {{USS|Utah|BB-31|2}} in 1925–1926, then commanded the Navy transport {{USS|Vega|AK-17|2}} until becoming the captain of the port at [[Cristóbal, Colón|Cristóbal]], [[Panama Canal Zone]] from 1927 to 1930. Promoted to the rank of captain, he was the chief of staff to the commander, Base Force, [[United States Fleet]] in 1930–1932. After three years at the [[Bureau of Navigation]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], he was the commander of [[Destroyer Squadron One (United States)|Destroyer Squadron One]], [[Scouting Force]], in 1935–1936, stationed in [[Long Beach, California]]. The Kidd family resided in a downtown Long Beach apartment building.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Archbold |first1=Rich |title=Long Beach remembers Pearl Harbor and its heroes: Rich Archbold |url=https://www.presstelegram.com/2016/04/29/long-beach-remembers-pearl-harbor-and-its-heroes-rich-archbold/ |work=Press Telegram |date=29 April 2016}}</ref>

During the Japanese [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941, Rear Admiral Kidd was the commander of Battleship Division One and the chief of staff and aide to the commander, Battleship Battle Force. At his first knowledge of the attack, he rushed to the bridge of {{USS|Arizona|BB-39|6}}, his [[flagship]], and "courageously discharged his duties as Senior Officer Present Afloat until ''Arizona'' blew up from a [[Magazine (artillery)|magazine]] explosion and a direct bomb hit on the [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]] which resulted in the loss of his life."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg100/Pages/namesake.aspx |title=USS Kidd DDG 100 - Named for Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=14 November 2016 |archive-date=5 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105234505/http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg100/Pages/namesake.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Further research into the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] indicates RADM Kidd was not the SOPA (Senior Officer Present Afloat) when the attack began. RADM [[William R. Furlong]], commander Battle Forces Pacific was on board his flagship, the minelayer [[USS Oglala]]. RADM Furlong was senior by two years promoted on 23 Jun 1938.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Furlong |first1=William R. |title=Interwar Period |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_R._Furlong |website=Wikipedia |access-date=9 February 2025}}</ref> RADM Kidd was promoted in 1940.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kidd |first1=Isaac C. |title=Kidd, Isaac C. |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/us-people/k/kidd-isaac-c.html |website=Naval History and Heritage Command |access-date=9 February 2025}}</ref>

Kidd's body was never recovered and to this day he is considered [[missing in action]]. U.S. Navy salvage divers located his Naval Academy ring fused to a bulkhead on ''Arizona''{{'}}s bridge.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.militaryaerospace.com/blogs/mil-aero-blog/2011/12/a-naval-academy-class-ring-gives-mute-testimony-to-disaster-at-pearl-harbor-70-years-ago-today.html |title=A Naval Academy class ring gives mute testimony to disaster at Pearl Harbor 70 years ago today |website=militaryaerospace.com |last=Keller |first=John |access-date=14 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510075114/http://www.militaryaerospace.com/blogs/mil-aero-blog/2011/12/a-naval-academy-class-ring-gives-mute-testimony-to-disaster-at-pearl-harbor-70-years-ago-today.html }}</ref>  A trunk containing his personal memorabilia was found in the wreck and sent to his widow.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.usskidd.com/radmkidd.html |title=Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr.(1884–1941) |access-date=2016-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129052949/http://usskidd.com/radmkidd.html |archive-date=2010-11-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Rediscovered in the attic by his children, both the trunk and its contents are now displayed in the museum at the USS [[Arizona Memorial|''Arizona'' Memorial]].

==Awards and decorations==
Admiral Kidd [[Posthumous recognition|posthumously]] received the [[Medal of Honor]] and the [[Purple Heart]]. His other awards include the [[Army of Cuban Pacification Medal]], [[Mexican Service Medal]], [[World War I Victory Medal (United States)|World War I Victory Medal]] with Atlantic Fleet Clasp, [[American Defense Service Medal]] with Fleet Clasp, [[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] with one bronze battle star for Pearl Harbor (posthumous), and the [[World War II Victory Medal]] (posthumous).
{{clear}}
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="4"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=A light blue ribbon with five white five pointed stars}} 
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army of Cuban Pacification service ribbon.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Mexican Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="6"|[[Medal of Honor]] 
|-
|colspan="2" align=center |[[Purple Heart]]
|[[Cuban Pacification Medal]] 
|[[Mexican Service Medal]]
|-
|colspan=2|[[World War I Victory Medal (United States)|World War I Victory Medal]]<br /> with Atlantic Fleet Clasp
|[[American Defense Service Medal]]<br /> with Fleet Clasp
|[[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]]<br /> with [[Service star|star]]
|-
|colspan=2|[[World War II Victory Medal]]
|[[Marksmanship Ribbon|Navy Rifle Marksmanship Ribbon]]
|[[Marksmanship Ribbon|Navy Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon]]
|}

[[File:Isaac C. Kidd on Arizona.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Kidd on the deck of ''Arizona'', c. 1939]]
===Medal of Honor citation===
<blockquote>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|BB-39|6}}, his Flagship, blew up from magazine explosions and a direct bomb hit on the bridge, which resulted in the loss of his life.</blockquote>
==Namesake and relations==
*Three [[U.S. Navy]] destroyers have been named in Admiral Kidd's honor. See {{USS|Kidd}}.
*Kidd's son, [[Admiral]] [[Isaac C. Kidd Jr.]], served in the US Navy from December 19, 1941, to 1978, eventually serving as Commander-in-Chief of the [[U.S. Atlantic Fleet]].
*Kidd's grandson [https://www.barrancofuneralhome.com/obituary/capt-isaac-kidd-iii-usnr-ret-cappy Isaac C. Kidd III] retired with the rank of Navy [[Captain (United States)|Captain]].
*[[Camp Kidd]]
*Admiral Kidd Park in [[West Long Beach]], California, dedicated to Kidd by the Long Beach City Council on March 25, 1942<ref>{{cite web |title=Admiral Kidd Park |url=https://www.longbeach.gov/park/park-and-facilities/directory/admiral-kidd-park/ |website=www.longbeach.gov |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
*[[List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II#K|List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
:{{NHC}}
:{{DANFS}}
*{{Cite web |access-date=September 29, 2010 |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-k/ic-kidd.htm |title=Isaac C. Kidd, ''Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships'', Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206200511/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-k/ic-kidd.htm |url-status=dead }}
*{{Cite web |access-date=May 19, 2016 |url=http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg100/Pages/namesake.aspx |title=USS Isaac C. Kidd, "Named for Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd", U.S. Navy Hosting |archive-date=November 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105234505/http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/ddg100/Pages/namesake.aspx |url-status=dead }}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kidd, Isaac Campbell}}
[[Category:1884 births]]
[[Category:1941 deaths]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel killed in World War II]]
[[Category:Deaths by Japanese airstrikes during the attack on Pearl Harbor]]
[[Category:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Cleveland]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:United States Navy rear admirals (upper half)]]
[[Category:United States Navy World War II admirals]]
[[Category:World War II recipients of the Medal of Honor]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Missing in action of World War II]]
[[Category:Captains who went down with the ship]]