Purple Heart Ship
On December 07, 2018, the Honorable Sharon Weston Broome, Mayor-President of the City-Parish of East Baton Rouge, in cooperation with the Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission and the Military Order of the Purple Heart -- Red Stick Chapter 177, declared the Fletcher-class destroyer USS KIDD (DD-661), moored as a living museum in downtown Baton Rouge, as a Purple Heart Ship.
The Purple Heart Trail was established in 1992 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to create a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments throughout all 50 states and U.S. territories to commemorate and honor all men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The Trail originates in Mount Vernon, Virginia, which is the burial location of George Washington. The Purple Heart Medal is specifically a combat decoration and is our nation''s oldest military medal. It was first created by General George Washington in 1782 and was known as the Badge of Military Merit. The Purple Heart Medal is only awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who have
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On April 11, 1945, the USS KIDD (DD-661) was struck by a Japanese kamikaze aircraft
while on radar picket duty 90 miles east of Okinawa. This attack resulted in the deaths
of 38 of her crew and wounded 55 more. Several more crewmen are known to have
been wounded but did not report their injuries, considering them minor compared to
those already suffered by their shipmates.
Erected 2018.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Military Order of the Purple Heart series list.
Location. 30° 26.634′ N, 91° 11.462′ W. Marker is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in East Baton Rouge Parish. Memorial can be reached from Government Street near River Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 305 South River Road, Baton Rouge LA 70802, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. USS KIDD - "DD 661" (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S.S. Kidd (within shouting distance of this marker); USS Kidd KIA Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); USCGC White Alder (within shouting distance of this marker); Louisiana Vietnam War Memorial
More about this marker. Located on the gangplank, leading the the USS Kidd. Admission required, through the USS Kidd museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2019, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 296 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2019.
