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USS Arizona Admiral Honored
LA Club Honors Admiral Kidd
Mrs. Pam Kidd, Capt. I.C. Kidd III, Ms. Emma Kidd, great great granddaughter of Admiral Kidd and Michael Kidd, son of Capt. Kidd and great grandson of Admiral Kidd. Photo by Andrew Heiser
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On the day the 80th commemoration events were underway in Pearl Harbor, a private club in downtown Los Angeles held a special event to honor one of its most distinguished former members – Admiral Isaac C. Kidd.
Admiral Kidd joined the Jonathan Club when he was stationed in Long Beach and continued his membership when he was transferred to Pearl Harbor. Admiral Kidd was killed in the attack on December 7, 1941, while leading the defensive efforts aboard the USS Arizona. He was the first flag officer killed in World War II and was awarded the country’s highest award for valor in combat – the Medal of Honor. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Jonathan Club invited the family of Admiral Kidd to be guests of honor at a special event.
Three generations of the Kidd family travelled to Los Angeles. Isaac C. Kidd III is the eldest grandchild of Admiral Kidd. He is a retired Navy Captain and business executive who lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife Pam. Known as “Cappy,” he was the keynote speaker. His son, Michael, and his granddaughter Emma Kidd also attended.
Cappy Kidd grew up hearing about the Admiral from his grandmother and offered a unique perspective on him. Cappy described Admiral Kidd as an officer completely dedicated to the country and the Navy. He lived a unique lifestyle, never owning a house, but living in upscale hotels including the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego and owning a series of polo ponies. His heroic actions on December 7 were consistent with the life he had led.
Retired Navy Commander Lou Conter, who was the quartermaster aboard the USS Arizona that day, sent a statement read at the event saying he was honored to serve under Admiral Kidd, who was in command of Battleship Division One at that time.
“When the attack began, Admiral Kidd raced to the bridge and immediately took command,” Lou Conter wrote. “He ordered me to secure the quarterdeck and come to the bridge, because I was the channel helmsman. I cut the lines to get us underway, but before I could get there a bomb hit along number two turret on the starboard side and one million pounds of gunpowder exploded. I remained on the ship and helped rescue 20 of my fellow sailors, but Admiral Kidd was killed instantly.”
There were no remains recovered. His Naval Academy class ring was later found fused to the bulkhead where he was standing.
One of just two remaining USS Arizona survivors, Conter described Admiral Kidd as a great American hero who will never be forgotten. He also wrote that Admiral Kidd was a focused and conscientious leader who made every effort to train the officers and sailors under his command to the highest standards.
“Many officers and sailors, myself included, learned a great deal from Admiral Kidd. He was a great influence on my subsequent Navy Career,” Conter wrote.
The family is incredibly proud of Admiral Kidd, and his late son, Admiral Isaac C. Kidd Jr., who rose to the rank of Admiral, U.S. Navy, retiring as Commander in Chief Atlantic and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic.
The Jonathan Club has a memorial with the names of all members who died while in military service along with a scale replica of the USS Arizona. We give recognition to all members who have served in the military during our 125-year history. We will always remember the sacrifices made by those serving our country in uniform.
