Isaac Campbell Kidd was born in Cleveland in 1884 and became an American Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. Kidd was killed on the bridge of the USS Arizona (BB-39) during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the highest ranking American killed by the Japanese since 73 years earlier, with the death of Rear Admiral Henry H. Bell at Kobe, while trying to force Japan open to trade.

Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd

He was a posthumous recipient of his nation’s highest military honor — the Medal of Honor. The highest ranking casualty at Pearl Harbor, he became the first U.S. Navy flag officer killed in action in World War II as well as the first killed in action against any foreign enemy. A Fletcher-class destroyer, the USS Kidd (DD-661), was commissioned in his honor on April 23, 1943. The second ship named after him, the USS Kidd (DDG-993), lead ship of four Kidd-class destroyers, was commissioned on March 27, 1981. An Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the USS Kidd (DDG-100), was the third ship named after him and was commissioned on June 9, 2007

Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd historical marker

His son Isaac Campbell Kidd, Jr. was born in Cleveland in 1919 and became an American Admiral in the United States Navy who served as the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO’s Atlantic Fleet, and also as commander in chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet from 1975 to 1978.

Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Jr.

The Historical marker honoring Read Admiral Kidd is just east of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.