[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 127 (Wednesday, October 2, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9842-S9843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO THE WORLD WAR II MEN OF THE USS KIDD

 Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
World War II men of the USS Kidd, DD 661, a Fletcher-class destroyer 
which was named after Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, Sr., who was killed 
aboard his flagship, the USS Arizona, at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 
1941. Kidd was commissioned at the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New 
York, on April 23, 1943. She was placed under the command of Lieutenant 
Commander, later Admiral, Allan B. Roby.
  Kidd served with great distinction in the South Pacific during World 
War II, earning eight battle stars while participating in such historic 
engagements as the air raids on Wake Island, the strikes against Rabaul 
and Bougainville, the Gilbert Islands invasion

[[Page S9843]]

at Tarawa, the Marshall Islands, the occupation of Aitape and Hollandia 
in New Guinea, the occupation of Saipan, the bombardment of Guam, the 
invasion of the Philippines, the raids against the Japanese home 
islands, and the invasion of Okinawa.
  On April 11, 1945, Kidd, by then affectionately known as ``The Pirate 
of the Pacific'', was on patrol and picket duty off of Okinawa. During 
a Japanese attack that day a Kamikaze struck Kidd amidship just above 
the water line. Thirty-eight men were killed and another fifty-five 
were wounded, and Kidd suffered extensive structural damage. 
Notwithstanding these circumstances, the crew managed to keep the ship 
afloat while returning fire and continuing to engage the enemy in the 
ongoing attack. Kidd was saved and, following major repairs, continued 
to serve the Nation with distinction for another twenty years.
  In the aftermath of World War II, the surviving men of Kidd did not 
forget their shipmates who perished during that epic conflict. In 
August of 1949, just a few years after the end of World War II, 
survivors of the Kamikaze attack on Kidd gathered in New York City for 
the solemn purpose of remembering and honoring their lost shipmates. 
Ever since that original gathering in 1949, for fifty-two straight 
years, survivors of the World War II attack on Kidd have traveled from 
far and wide and assembled together to pay homage to their friends and 
shipmates who died on April 11, 1945. This remarkable unbroken string 
of remembrances now extend over half a century.
  This weekend, the remaining survivors of the World War II crew of the 
USS Kidd are preparing to gather together for their 53rd consecutive 
annual reunion to be held here in the Washington Metropolitan Area from 
October 4--6, 2002. At that gathering, as in their past gatherings, 
these men, accompanied by their families and friends, will honor the 
memory of their departed shipmates. For the benefit of the historical 
record, the names of those men killed aboard Kidd, heroes all, were 
Lieutenant George B. Grieshaber, Ensign Robert A. Berwick, Seaman 1st 
Class Dorsey C. Bridgewater, Chief Quartermaster Addison F. Smith, 
Chief Water Tender Sylvester W. Hansen, Chief Steward John F. Hamilton, 
Gunner's Mate 1st Class Morgan A. Payne, Water Tender 1st Class James 
C. Carmody, Water Tender 1st Class Felix P. D'Amico, Machinist 2nd 
Class William M. Abernethy, Water Tender 2nd Class Jack L. Walsh, 
Seaman 2nd Class Eugene E. Gothreau, Baker 2nd Class Richard W. Hyde, 
Steward's Mate 2nd Class Solomon Thompson, Steward's Mate 2nd Class 
Charles E. Green, Torpedo Man 3rd Class Bernard Gutterman, Seaman 3rd 
Class Milford A. Faufaw, Electrician's Mate 3rd Class James N. Olen, 
Fireman 1st Class Charles N. Allwhite, Fireman 1st Class Clifford A. 
Hoeft, Fireman 1st Class Clifford E. Kemmerer, Fireman 1st Class Robert 
F. Walker, Seaman 1st Class John W. Canada, Jr., Seaman 1st Class Louie 
C. Higginbotham, Seaman 1st Class Lester B. Hodges, Seaman 1st Class 
Harold G. Kelsey, Seaman 1st Class George R. Kraisinger, Seaman 1st 
Class William J. Wall, Seaman 1st Class Lawrence Bynog, Fireman 2nd 
Class Fredric B. Heaton, Fireman 2nd Class Dennis M. Kornowski, Seaman 
2nd Class Virgile A. Henson, Seaman 2nd Class Charles K. Jenkins, 
Seaman 2nd Class Bernard V. Kostelnik, Seaman 2nd Class Arthur Lee, 
Seaman 2nd Class Russell J. Leonard, Seaman 2nd Class John Miller, Jr., 
and Apprentice Seaman Darvin R. Lee.
  On the eve of the 53rd consecutive gathering of the surviving members 
of the World War II crew of the USS Kidd, I take to the floor of the 
Senate to recognize and honor all of the World War II men of Kidd. By 
their sacrifices and courageous conduct on April 11, 1945, in defending 
their ship and the national interests of the United States, the men of 
the USS Kidd demonstrated exceptional valor and courage. By their 
remarkable determination to keep the memory of their lost shipmates 
alive, as demonstrated by their continuing course of conduct over the 
last fifty-three years, the surviving members of the World War II crew 
of the USS Kidd have brought honor to themselves, to the United States 
Navy, and to a grateful Nation that understands better, because of the 
conduct of all of these men, the true meaning of faithful commitment 
and patriotic citizenship. A young sailor myself in 1945, I proudly ask 
the Senate to join me in saluting the World War II men of the USS Kidd. 
Their deeds and sacrifices are an untold story that should serve as an 
inspiration to all Americans.

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