Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The origin of this footage is unknown to us, but it was likely captured in 1943 or early-to-mid 1944, based on when different commanding officers allowed the pirate to be painted or not.
The pirate on the USS KIDD (DD-661)'s forward smokestack is a depiction of the legendary Captain William Kidd. There is no known relation between the pirate Kidd and the USS KIDD's namesake, RADM Isaac C. Kidd Sr.
William Kidd was an iconic figure in the swashbuckling pirate movies in 1940s Hollywood. Whereas Admiral Kidd was the Commanding Officer of Battleship Division 1 during the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He died in the sinking of the USS ARIZONA and received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the face of grave danger.
The first crew of the USS KIDD (DD-661) adopted Captain Kidd as their mascot...after getting permission from Admiral Kidd's widow, Ms. Inez Kidd, of course. She loved the idea of giving these young men, many of whom had not yet turned eighteen, a symbol of bravery to rally behind. Something necessary when heading into a brutal war overseas. Not to mention, Admiral Kidd's nickname at the Naval Academy was "Cap," in reference to the infamous pirate.
Cherry on top: Ms. Kidd petitioned the Navy for permission for DD-661 to hoist the Jolly Roger. Other ships have done it, but the USS KIDD is the only ship in U.S. Naval history to have official permission to fly the pirate flag. The current Arleigh-Burke class destroyer USS KIDD (DD-100) carries on that tradition and continues to fly the pirate flag.
The origin of this footage is unknown to us, but it was likely captured in 1943 or early-to-mid 1944, based on when different commanding officers allowed the pirate to be painted or not.
The pirate on the USS KIDD (DD-661)'s forward smokestack is a depiction of the legendary Captain William Kidd. There is no known relation between the pirate Kidd and the USS KIDD's namesake, RADM Isaac C. Kidd Sr.
William Kidd was an iconic figure in the swashbuckling pirate movies in 1940s Hollywood. Whereas Admiral Kidd was the Commanding Officer of Battleship Division 1 during the Attack on Pearl Harbor. He died in the sinking of the USS ARIZONA and received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the face of grave danger.
The first crew of the USS KIDD (DD-661) adopted Captain Kidd as their mascot...after getting permission from Admiral Kidd's widow, Ms. Inez Kidd, of course. She loved the idea of giving these young men, many of whom had not yet turned eighteen, a symbol of bravery to rally behind. Something necessary when heading into a brutal war overseas. Not to mention, Admiral Kidd's nickname at the Naval Academy was "Cap," in reference to the infamous pirate.
Cherry on top: Ms. Kidd petitioned the Navy for permission for DD-661 to hoist the Jolly Roger. Other ships have done it, but the USS KIDD is the only ship in U.S. Naval history to have official permission to fly the pirate flag. The current Arleigh-Burke class destroyer USS KIDD (DD-100) carries on that tradition and continues to fly the pirate flag.
