Why the US Navy’s Only Pirate-Flagged Warship Honours a Pearl Harbor Hero
The USS Kidd is the only US Navy destroyer permitted to fly the Jolly Roger—a tribute to Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd.
The USS Kidd (DDG-100) holds a singular distinction among the U.S. Navy’s fleet of 75 Arleigh-Burke-class destroyers. It is the only warship formally authorized to fly the Jolly Roger—a black flag featuring a skull and crossbones—long associated with piracy. This unusual privilege stems from a tradition rooted in naval history and the legacy of its namesake, Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd.
Rear Admiral Kidd was the first American flag officer killed in World War II, dying aboard the USS Arizona during the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack. He commanded Battleship Division One and perished alongside 1,175 sailors and Marines, earning a posthumous Medal of Honor for his bravery. During his time at the Naval Academy, he earned the nickname ‘Cap’ Kidd, a playful nod to the infamous 17th-century privateer-turned-pirate, Captain William Kidd, who was executed in 1701 for his crimes.
In 1943, the Navy honored his sacrifice by naming a Fletcher-class destroyer after him. The ship’s crew embraced the pirate theme, adopting the Jolly Roger with the blessing of Kidd’s widow. They dubbed themselves the ‘Pirates of the Pacific’, even playfully demanding “ransoms”—such as tubs of ice cream—from naval aviators in exchange for safe passage back to their ships. The original USS Kidd remained in service until 1964 and now serves as a museum ship, but its legacy endured.
The Admiral Behind the Tradition: uss kidd
The current USS Kidd, commissioned in 2007, continues the tradition, flying the pirate flag during ocean crossings, port visits, and multinational exercises. The skull and crossbones emblem appears on the ship’s 5-inch guns, internal doorways, and even crew mugs—a visible tribute to its namesake. While modern pirates use the Jolly Roger for criminal purposes, the USS Kidd’s crew flies it as a symbol of honor, not lawlessness.
The Navy’s approval of this exception underscores the importance of preserving naval lore. Traditions like this serve as reminders of the sacrifices and stories that shape the fleet’s identity. For the USS Kidd, the pirate flag is more than a relic—it’s a living connection to the past.
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