Fallen Crew Members of
USS KIDD (DD-661)
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Fallen Crew Members of USS KIDD (DD-661) |
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RICHARD WINSLOW HYDE
Richard Winslow Hyde was born on October 03, 1925, in his hometown of Beverly, Massachusetts, to parents Charles L. Hyde and Jennie Mae Platts. Richard and his brother Frank were the only boys in a family of six children. His four sisters were Pearley, Norma, Virginia, and Dorothy.
Richard quit school in junior high. He joined the Navy in Boston, Massachusetts, on December 15, 1942, at the age of 17. He went to boot camp in Newport, Rhode Island. From the Naval Receiving Station at Long Beach, New York, Richard boarded the USS KIDD (DD-661) on April 23, 1943, thereby becoming a member of her first crew and a plankowner.
On October 02, 1943, one day prior to his birthday, Richard's rate was changed. As a result of a summary court martial for probably reporting back late for duty persistently, he was confined to the ship for one month and fined $25 for a three-month period. |
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One March 01, 1944, Richard saw another rate change, moving from Seaman 2nd class to Baker 3rd class. He was promoted one year later on March 01, 1945, advancing to the rate of Baker 2nd class. Richard Hyde lost his life in the line of duty when the kamikaze plane struck the KIDD off of Okinawa on April 11, 1945. He was buried at sea the following day on Thursday, April 12, 1945, while the ship was en route back to Ulithi Atoll from the front lines.
Some of the information provided to researcher Richard Ammon—as well as the photo shown above—was provided by Mr. John York, a friend and classmate of Hyde's. They both joined the Navy together after constantly being caught by the truant officer for skipping school. |
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In response to our call for stories and information relating to our fallen crew members, Machinist Mate 1st class Albert E. Ionson was kind enough to write to us and share his memories of his friend and shipmate. |
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"Dick Hyde and I joined the Navy in Boston at the same time. We traveled to boot camp in Newport, Rhode Island, and were assigned to the same company. Together, we decided to apply for sea duty and were sent to the receiving station at Long Island. Here we awaited the completion of the KIDD. We were together when the KIDD was commissioned. I guess that makes us both plankowners.
The long days at sea and the many battles we went through together pulled us even closer. We had many heart-to-heart talks, mostly about our plans for after the war. Dick wanted to go back to school and eventually open a food-related business.
Because he was dedicated to his work and was well-liked by his superiors, he advanced in rating rapidly. He was a very sensitive and compassionate person. This was very evident in many ways. One day, he heard that Felix D'Amico was very sad because it would be his first birthday away from home and how much he was going to miss the special chocolate birthday cake that his mother always baked for him. Dick gathered a group of Felix's friends and held a surprise party in the galley. Dick had baked a large chocolate cake for the occasion. This was the beginning of many birthday parties and many birthday cakes. Dick was devoted to his job and to the Navy. I don't believe he was ever involved in any type of court martial. If he had, I'm sure I would have known about it.
We were together moments before he was killed. He had taken cover in a passageway with John Hamilton CST [Chief Steward's Mate]. Unfortunately, it was a storage area for a number of gas cylinders that ruptured due to the explosion, killing them both instantly. He was my friend and a friend to all he came in contact with. After all these years, I still think of him and value the time we had together. I hope that you will print this so your readers will know the real Richard Winslow Hyde." |
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Back to the List of Fallen Crew Members of USS KIDD (DD-661) |
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**Copyright 1997-2007 by Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission** |
