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Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd,
USN Commander Battleship Division One

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--.

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.

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.

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Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh,
Commanding Officer, USS Arizona, USN

Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh, USN, (1888-1941)

Franklin Van Valkenburgh was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 5 April 1888. Appointed a Midshipman in 1905, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1909.

His initial service was in battleships, punctuated by a tour with the Asiatic Squadron in 1911-14. He received postgraduate education in the field of steam engineering and was Engineering Officer of the battleship Rhode Island during the First World War.

Van Valkenburgh was twice an instructor at the Naval Academy during the late 'Teens and in the 'Twenties, and also served in the battleships Minnesota and Maryland during that time.

Following promotion to the rank of Commander, he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, in Washington, D.C., during 1928-31.

In the early 1930s, Commander Van Valkenburgh commanded the destroyer Talbot and Destroyer Squadron Five. He was a student at the Naval War College and inspector of naval material at the New York Navy Yard before again serving at sea as Commanding Officer of the destroyer tender Melville in 1936-38.

Captain Van Valkenburg then spent a tour ashore with the Third Naval District and, in February 1941 became Commanding Officer of the battleship Arizona.

He was killed in action when his ship exploded and sank during the 7 December 1941 Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor.

For his "conspicuous devotion to duty and extraordinary courage" at that time, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The destroyer USS Van Valkenburgh (DD-656), 1944-1967, was named in honor of Captain Van Valkenburgh.

Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh, USN




Who was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for devotion to duty and courage while serving as Commanding Officer of USS Arizona (BB-39) during the 7 December 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor.

Halftone reproduction, copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1948, The Navy", page 272.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Naval Historical Center