U.S.S. KIDD

USS KIDD (DD-661)

Kidd (DD-661) was launched 28 February 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. Kearny N.J.; sponsored by Mrs. Isaac C. Kidd widow of Rear 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 6 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.

On 11 January 1944 Kidd sailed for the forward area touched at Espiritu Santo then sailed nest 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 26 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 riving 19 November. On 9 December Kidd headed toward Mare Island Navy Yard for overhaul and moored at Mare Island Christmas Day.

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 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 Chanucey (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.

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 Yokosuka 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.

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.

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.

She visited Sydney Australia 29 March 1958 and later that year patrolled the Formosa Straits.

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.

Kidd arrived Norfolk 5 February 1962 and joined Task Force Alfa 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.

Kidd received four battle stars for World War II service and four battle stars for Korean service.

[Note: The above USS KIDD (DD-661) history may or may not contain text provided by crew members of the USS KIDD (DD-661) or by other non-crew members and text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]