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Robert Cox, YNCS
to remember
Kinkaid, Thomas Cassin, ADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Hanover, NH
Last Address Bethesda, MD
Date of Passing Nov 17, 1972
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Thomas Cassin Kinkaid is known for his service during World War II. He built a reputation as a "fighting admiral" in the aircraft carrier battles of 1942 and commanded the Allied forces in the Aleutian Islands Campaign.
He was Commander Allied Naval Forces and the Seventh Fleet under General of the Army Douglas MacArthur in the Southwest Pacific Area, where he conducted numerous amphibious operations, and commanded an Allied fleet during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle of World War II and the last naval battle between battleships in history.
Other Comments:
The USS Kinkaid (DD-965), named for Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid ), was a Spruance-class destroyer launched in 1974. She was decommissioned in 2003 and sunk in 2004.
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 38 (April 3, 1947)
Citation:
"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Thomas Cassin Kinkaid (NSN: 0-6585), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility in the Southwest Pacific Area, from January to September 1945.
...
As Commander of the Allied Naval Forces supporting SIXTH Army, he demonstrated a consummate mastery of all phases of joint Army-Navy activity as well as a conspicuously outstanding knowledge of strategic warfare and naval tactics as he directed the planning and execution of naval support of amphibious operations in the Admiralties and Philippine Islands. His employment of naval forces against the Japanese Fleet in the Battle for Leyte Gulf resulted in disaster for the enemy and removed a dangerous threat to the entire plan for the liberation of the Philippine Islands.
...
Through his seasoned, resourceful leadership, and consistently noteworthy professional competence in the most capable execution of devastating naval blows, Admiral Kinkaid made a distinguished and most significant contribution to the successful and expeditious conclusion of the Philippine Liberation Campaign."
Guadalcanal Campaign (1942-43)/Battle of the Eastern Solomons
From Month/Year
August / 1942
To Month/Year
August / 1942
Description The naval Battle of the Eastern Solomons (also known as the Battle of the Stewart Islands and, in Japanese sources, as the Second Battle of the Solomon Sea took place on 24–25 August 1942, and was the third carrier battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II and the second major engagement fought between the United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Guadalcanal Campaign. As at the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, the ships of the two adversaries were never within sight of each other. Instead, all attacks were carried out by carrier-based or land-based aircraft.
After several damaging air attacks, the naval surface combatants from both America and Japan withdrew from the battle area without either side securing a clear victory. However, the U.S. and its allies gained tactical and strategic advantage. Japan's losses were greater and included dozens of aircraft and their experienced aircrews. Also, Japanese reinforcements intended for Guadalcanal were delayed and eventually delivered by warships rather than transport ships, giving the Allies more time to prepare for the Japanese counteroffensive and preventing the Japanese from landing heavy artillery, ammunition, and other supplies.
