The USS Kidd is headed down the Mississippi River for the first time in nearly 40 years. the ship is set to embark for much needed restorations in Houma.
The USS Kidd, a Fletcher-class destroyer has witnessed many moments of American history.
The ship was named after Rear Admiral Isaac Kidd who was killed aboard the flagship at Pearl Harbor in 1941.
The ship had a part in World War II, The Korean War and the Cold War.
Veterans Museum Executive Director Parks Stephenson said the ship is primarily known for it’s service in world war 2.
“The USS Kidd was commissioned in 1943. She served a little bit in the Atlantic but mostly in the Pacific Ocean,” Stephenson said.
The USS Kidd was stationed in 1982 to honor World War II veterans.
“The Kidd was brought here to Louisiana to be a tribute to Louisiana veterans of all services,” Stephenson said.
The ship is currently flooding where it was hit by a kamikaze air craft during the Battle of Okinawa.
“She would go back to the states to be rebuilt and this is what she looked like when she came out of the yards after being fixed from the kamikaze attack,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson’s vision for museum goers is to take a step back in time to 1945. He spent most of his life as an aerospace engineer and found a love for the ship. He moved from San Diego to Baton Rouge to accept the job as museum director.
“Everybody looks for the job they were born to do I was born to do this job,” Stephenson said.
He said due to the location of the ship it’s hard to get her out. The hasn’t had an overhaul in over 60 years, which should usually be 20.
Low river levels are one reason the ship is in need of repairs. Stephenson said the ship is not meant to be submerged in water levels this low.
“The time I mean is becoming critical for her,” Stephenson said. “The more time she spent out of water the worst the leaks have gotten. we literally need to do the work now or she will outpace her efforts to keep her afloat.”
Stephenson said this is a once in a generation opportunity. The museum was offered $10 million by the state legislature to repaint the ship and make other improvements.
“It will fix the hull,” Stephenson said. “Her main deck needs to be torn up back here. there’s some advanced corrosion back here that needs to be torn up and there’s other things that we need to do."
Stephenson also hopes through fundraising efforts, to restore original aspects of the ship. Such as the segregated quarters it once had.
“We’re working with the Baton Rouge African American Museum on the narrative to tell that story on the role African Americans played in World War II, and the restrictions they were under,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson said if the USS Kidd could speak, the ship would be grateful for the repairs.
“She’s got a very fiery temperament she absorbed a kamikaze hit, fought off other kamikaze hits while damaged and then survived to live a longer life afterwards,” Stephenson said.
