Medal of Honor: Isaac Campbell Kidd – World War II – December 7, 1941
As bombs and torpedoes tore into Battleship Row, one admiral climbed to the bridge of USS Arizona and remained at his post, commanding the battle until a magazine explosion destroyed the ship beneath him.
December 9, 2025
Name: Isaac Campbell Kidd
Rank: Rear Admiral
Organization: U.S. Navy
Unit: Commander, Battleship Division One; Flag Officer aboard USS Arizona (BB-39)
Place and Date: Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii – 7 December 1941
Entered Service At: Appointed from Ohio
Born: March 26, 1884 – Cleveland, Ohio
Departed: December 7, 1941 (Killed in Action)
Accredited To: Ohio
Summary of Action
When the Japanese attack erupted over Pearl Harbor, Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd — Commander of Battleship Division One — immediately made his way to the bridge of his flagship, USS Arizona. As bombs struck the harbor and torpedoes slammed into battleships along Ford Island, Kidd took control as Senior Officer Present Afloat.
From the bridge, he directed defensive efforts, issued orders, and maintained command presence while the ship endured repeated air attacks. Flames and smoke engulfed the forward section as damage mounted. Still, Kidd remained at his battle station, continuing to fulfill his duty amid the escalating destruction.
Moments later, Arizona suffered a catastrophic magazine explosion, the blast engulfing the bridge and killing Admiral Kidd instantly. He never left his post.
Admiral Kidd became the first U.S. flag officer killed in World War II, remembered for leadership maintained to the final second of his life.
Medal of Honor Citation
