Thomas C. Kinkaid

Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, born on April 3, 1888, emerged as a prominent figure in the United States Navy during World War II. Known for his tenacity and strategic prowess, he earned the moniker of a 'fighting admiral' through his leadership in critical aircraft carrier battles in 1942. Kinkaid commanded the Allied forces in the Aleutian Islands Campaign and played a pivotal role as Commander Allied Naval Forces and the Seventh Fleet under General Douglas MacArthur in the Southwest Pacific Area.

Born into a naval family, Kinkaid graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1908, ranking in the lower half of his class. His early career was marked by service aboard battleships, and in 1913, he began his specialization in ordnance engineering. Kinkaid saw action during the 1916 United States occupation of the Dominican Republic and served as a gunnery officer aboard the battleship USS Arizona during World War I. His post-war career included a role as assistant chief of staff to the Commander U.S. Naval Detachment in Turkey.

In 1924, Kinkaid received his first command, the destroyer USS Isherwood, followed by a significant role as executive officer of the battleship USS Colorado during the 1933 Long Beach earthquake. He commanded the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis in 1937 and served as a naval attaché in Italy and Yugoslavia from 1938 to 1941. Promoted to rear admiral in 1941, he led a U.S. Pacific Fleet cruiser division, defending aircraft carriers during pivotal battles such as the Coral Sea and Midway.

By November 1943, Kinkaid had risen to the position of Commander Allied Naval Forces South West Pacific Area and commander of the Seventh Fleet. He directed naval operations during the New Guinea campaign and the Battle of the Surigao Strait, marking the last naval battle between battleships in history. Following the war, he continued to serve in various capacities, including Commander Eastern Sea Frontier and the Sixteenth Fleet until his retirement in May 1950. Kinkaid's legacy includes his contributions to the National Security Training Commission and the American Battle Monuments Commission.