USS KIDD (DD-661)

• Named After a Fallen Hero: USS KIDD (DD-661) was named in honor of Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who was killed on the bridge of USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. • Fletcher-class Destroyer: USS KIDD is a Fletcher-class destroyer, one of the most famous and numerous destroyer classes used by the US Navy during World War II. • Commissioned in 1943: The ship was commissioned on April 23, 1943, and served actively during World War II, the Korean War, and the early Cold War period. • Pirate Legacy: USS KIDD’s crew adopted the pirate Captain Kidd as their mascot, flying the Jolly Roger and decorating the ship with pirate imagery, earning her the nickname "Pirate of the Pacific." • Survived Kamikaze Attack: On April 11, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa, USS KIDD was struck by a kamikaze aircraft, resulting in 38 deaths and 55 wounded, but the ship survived and was repaired. • Earned Battle Stars: During World War II, USS KIDD earned 12 battle stars for her service, a testament to her active and distinguished combat record. • Korean War Service: Reactivated for the Korean War, USS KIDD provided naval gunfire support and patrolled the Korean peninsula, earning an additional 4 battle stars. • Preserved as a Museum Ship: Decommissioned in 1964, USS KIDD was saved from scrapping and is now preserved as a museum ship in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, serving as a memorial to all American veterans. • Only Restored WWII Destroyer: USS KIDD is the only Fletcher-class destroyer restored to her World War II configuration, making her an invaluable educational and historical resource. • Hollywood Star: USS KIDD has appeared in several films and documentaries, including the 2001 movie Flags of Our Fathers and the 2020 film Greyhound starring Tom Hanks.