About once per quarter we would be assigned an availability alongside a Destroyer Tender for routine repairs. At 0420 the next day, the wrecked and scuttled U-606 disappeared beneath the waves. Shortly thereafter, at 1313, a torpedo fired by U-132 ripped into the cutter's starboard side, exploding between the boiler and engine rooms and rupturing steam pipes. KIDD was one of several destroyers which stood guard for the beleaguered carrier while her crew fought to keep her afloat. Serving as part of Destroyer Division 96 (DESDIV 96) within Destroyer Squadron 48 (DESRON 48), KIDD functioned in the many roles demanded of the U.S. Navys destroyers: anti-submarine picket duty, picking up downed pilots, shore bombardment, and anti-aircraft platform. The first two raids were driven off by the combat air patrol, in tandem with KIDD and her division mates: BLACK (DD-666), BULLARD, and CHAUNCEY (DD-667). The 2,050-ton Fletcher -Class destroyer was considered one of the best destroyers of the period. But suddenly, there was no movement from the boat, and the Ingham passed over her without dropping any charges. Some that we were called upon to perform included: There are probably some others that I have forgotten about. At 14:09, KIDDs crew observed a dogfight between Japanese aircraft and the fighters of the combat air patrol. Also at this time, long-awaited American destroyer escorts (DEs) and patrol frigates (PFs) appeared in significant numbers, augmenting or replacing older cutters and destroyers. Meanwhile, medium-size Coast Guard cutters and U.S. Navy destroyers covered waters closer inshore. The class was designed in 1939, as a result of dissatisfaction with the earlier destroyer leader types of the Porter and Somers classes. While the U-boats did occasionally eavesdrop after stumbling upon the transmitting frequency of the escort ships, as far as we know, they were never able to transmit on that frequency, nor were they able to hack into and broadcast over the convoy's inter-ship communication system. Battery containers were smashed, releasing toxic chlorine gas, and two of the bow torpedoes began hot runs but could not be fired because of the sub's depth. . At 1138, U-175 popped up 2,500 yards from the Spencer, and the cutter's gunners opened fire. David W. Taylor, attached to a task force striking the Bonin Islands meanwhile, sustained an underwater explosion, probably a mine, and also went home. She returned to San Diego and was decommissioned on December 10, 1946, placed in the Reserve Fleet until such time as she would be called upon again. Only one plane drew close enough to drop a bomb: it missed, detonating about twenty feet off the starboard bow. Despite being rooted in World War II history, the Tom Hanks movie is not directly based on a true story. Mrs. Inez Kidd, widow of RADM Kidd, served as the ships sponsor, christening her and presenting her crew with a handsome wardroom guest book in which she wrote: May the destiny of the USS KIDD be glorious! On March 19, 1945, the carrier USS FRANKLIN (CV-13) suffered a devastating hit which touched off gasoline and ammunition explosions and claimed 724 lives. Gun crews kept the aircraft at bay. (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1987). She whispers stories of courage, bravery, and sacrifice. Both pilots were recovered and three enemy planes were shot down, with one more kill probable and hits scored on several of the remaining aircraft. U.S. Coast Guard Public Information Division, The Coast Guard at War: Transports and Escorts V, Vol. USS The Sullivans was named after the five Sullivan brothers who were killed when USS Juneau was lost in action in mid-November 1942. The Bibb, Duane, and Ingham were also still operating from Iceland. Being 376 feet, 6 inches, in length meant that they could carry five five-inch dual-purpose guns, ten torpedoes, depth charges and antiaircraft guns. Robert E. Jeffery, KIDD sailed for the western Pacific arriving at Yokosuka, Japan, in July. Introduced in 1942, the 2,100-ton Fletcher-class destroyers formed the core of the US Navys destroyer force from 1943. Her story begins in 1939 when work on a new generation of US destroyers began as a result of unsatisfactory performance of the current generation of destroyers. Half of the year, she rides the currents of the Mississippi; the other half, she sits dry-docked in a cradle where visitors can see her full dimensions. Rescuing downed pilots, fighting off suicidal attacks, destroying floating mines, and giving early warning to the fleet of approaching enemy aircraft, KIDD participated in a naval siege which would see the greatest losses ever suffered by the United States Navy. A second 36 searchlight was obtained from a private estate in 1985. KIDD sounded the warning to the rest of the fleet and opened fire, downing two of the attackers. Therefore, prior to her departure from Philadelphia, the Navy was contracted to remount two twin 40mm gun mounts forward of the bridge in place of the hedgehog anti-submarine projectors which had been added in the 1950s. Despite talk of returning her to the United States as a museum ship, she was condemned in 2010 as a derelict and hazard to navigation and scrapped in 20102011. X-RAY provides the least protection. She returned fire on and silenced several batteries successfully. During World War II, the Atlantic Coast destroyers would probably be at battle stations with Material Condition Zebra set by the time that they cleared the submarine net. Up until the 1960s, most naval home ports did not provide much in the line of pier space and in San Diego, we usually moored to a mooring buoy in the harbor. In the traditional system of naming destroyers after Naval heroes, she was named after Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr. who was killed aboard his flagship, USS ARIZONA (BB-39) during the surprise attack by the Japanese on the American fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. For the Leyte landings in October 1944, all nine ships operated with the Third Fleets Logistic Group. A. Randle, omitting any mention of her gender. By any standard, that was an impressive display of warship mass production. These conditions are established by closing the appropriate fittings such as valves, hatches, and watertight doors. Yes. But through the efforts of many dedicated people, she avoided the scrapping yard to make one final voyage. So on the crews behalf, Mrs. Kidd obtained official permission from the powers-that-be in the Navy for them to paint the pirate on the stack and fly the Jolly Roger. No, not exactly. In my previous two articles (read Part 1 here, read Part 2 here) I gave technical and manning overviews of the U.S. Navys highly successful Fletcher class destroyer. Early that summer, President Roosevelt agreed to protect Iceland, and U.S. Marines replaced a British occupying force on the island. She was placed in the Philadelphia Shipyard to await her final fate, one that befell so many of her sister ships: the cutting torch. The plane departed trailing smoke. A large portion of the movie was shot aboard the USS Kidd (DD-661), a Fletcher-class Navy destroyer named after Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who lost his life on the bridge of the USS Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. She was my first, and my favorite ship. While some changes had taken place since 1945, most of the procedures were carryovers from World War II. Brittin took command of the ship and headed the beleaguered ship southward. With no injuries to the crew, the damage was repaired and the ship was underway again on May 11, 1953. At several points in the film, a German U-boat uses Greyhound's transmitting frequency and broadcasts threatening messages over the ship's loudspeakers. He currently holds the title of Chief Marine Engineer at Marine Design Dynamics. in 1951 during the Korean War. ZEBRA is the highest level of protection. One of the main reasons the filmmakers chose to shoot on the historic battleship is because the Kidd is the only surviving WWII destroyer still in her wartime configuration.If you listen closely during the movie, one of the sailors on the ship refers to a buddy he knows who was on the Kidd. But the rules of warfare are: Kill or be killed.". Some went on to serve during the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. ), Bloody Winter, rev. Pingback: Manning Fletcher Class Destroyers | Naval Historical Foundation, Pingback: Fletcher Class Destroyer Operations - Part II | Naval Historical Foundation. Though built with the Pacific in mind, Fletchers also served in the Atlantic theater. In the United States, The Sullivans at Buffalo, Kidd (beautifully restored to late-World War II configuration) at Baton Rouge, and Cassin Young, berthed across the pier from the frigate USS Constitution at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, are open to the public. Posted on 26 Feb in greenshield pharmacy intervention codes 0 Likes Starting on April 24, 1962, KIDD was assigned to the Naval Destroyer School at Newport, Rhode Island. Their detonations practically lifted the U-boat out of the water and badly shook the cutter, which was rapidly losing speed. In Greece, the former Charrette, renamed Velos (Arrow), is a popular attraction. While her sonar crews were attempting to verify the contact, lookouts spotted 15 low-flying enemy torpedo bombers which were headed toward the large troopships carrying thousands of Marines who would soon be storming the beaches. KIDD was decommissioned for the last time on June 19, 1964, after over twenty years of service. Transportation was by a combination of ships boats and private water taxis. She screened the amphibious operations, serving as a fire-support ship during the landings on Leyte. Chevalier. All rights reserved. The part of Greyhound that's based on a true story is the Battle of the Atlantic, in which the fictional USS Keelingbecomes involved. two months later on April 23, KIDD commenced her shakedown cruise at Casco Bay, Maine. As soon as the last line was taken in, the boatswains pipe would sound and the announcement would be made Underway, Shift Colors. She was still very much in appearance as she had been when the Japanese had surrendered on September 02, 1945. 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