Col. James William Kidd Jr.

Colonel Kidd was born in Watkinsville to James and Hannah Kidd on February 1, 1936. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1958 and was commissioned into the United States Air Force.  He served his country as a Command Pilot, retiring after 26 years of service.

From 1960 – 1963, once commissioned, Colonel Kidd’s primary and basic pilot pre-flight training was held at Bainbridge, Georgia Air Base. He then was assigned to McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, Kansas, where his primary aircraft and initial flying duty was the B47E. He then attended Survival Training at Stead Air Force Base, Reno, Nevada, which was then followed by an assignment as B47E Co-Pilot at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York.

From July 1963 – 1966 Colonel Kidd attended B52D Combat Crew Training at a variety of locations that includes: Castle Air Force Base, Atwater, California, Walker, Air Force Base, Roswell, New Mexico, and Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Oklahoma, followed by a B52D assignment at Turner Air Force Base, Albany, Georgia, where he spent many days on 24-hour airborne alert missions. During this time, he was upgraded to Aircraft Commander and subsequently Instructor Pilot.

Also, during this time Colonel Kidd completed (3) six-month tours where he was stationed in Guam, Okinawa, and Thailand as part of Operation Arc Light serving as a B52D Aircraft Commander, where he and his crew logged 243 Arc Light missions over North Vietnam.

From 1969 – 1971, Colonel Kidd was stationed at Carswell Air Force Base, Ft. Worth, Texas. Here he attended the FB - 111A Instructor Pilot Course. He followed his course certification with an assignment at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada where he tested FB - 111A’s before they were delivered to their respective Air Bases. This was his first time in which he was able to achieve MACH 2 Speed during flight. Additionally, while he was awaiting FB - 111A testing, he was able to fly T-39’s, a twin-jet multi-purpose aircraft.

During 1971 – 1972, Colonel Kidd was selected for and attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama.

Following Staff College, Colonel Kidd was then assigned to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) where he was part of the 307th Strategic Wing stationed at The Royal Thai Navy Airfield, U - Tapao, Thailand. During this period Colonel Kidd was part of the initial Crucial Linebacker II Operations against North Vietnam, which was instrumental in ending the Vietnam campaign.

Following his tour from Thailand, from 1973 – 1976, Colonel Kidd served for the Air Force Inspector General at Norton Air Force Base, San Bernadino, California, where he was Operations Inspector and Programs Staff. During his tenure he had the opportunity to fly T-39’s until reaching his 15 years of rated flight qualification. In his words “this stopped the FUN.”

From 1977 – 1980, Colonel Kidd was assigned to SHAPE Belgium, as Chief Command Post Exercises where he developed, managed, and led NATO’s largest Command Post Exercises subsequently being promoted to and achieving the Rank of Colonel.

From 1981 – 1983, while stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska, Colonel Kidd served as Joints Chief of Staff to the National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NECAP) which operated Four (4) E-4B Modified 747 Communications Aircraft in support of the President of the United States, which during his tour was President Reagan and his staff. Part of his Command duties was to present/brief President Reagan and Vice President Bush on the NECAP Mission and capabilities of the E-4B 747 Aircraft.

Prior to Colonel Kidd completing his military career he was assigned to The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where he served with the HQ Defense Communications Agency, as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense for C3 (Command, Control and Communications), working on classified projects until he retired from active duty in 1984.

He and his family were stationed in a variety of U.S. Based and Overseas assignments such as Georgia, New York State, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, California, Belgium, Nebraska, and Washington, D.C.

From 1984 – 1992, after retiring from military active duty, Colonel Kidd, went to work for McDonnell Douglas at Huntington Beach, California. As Director for C3 (Command, Control and Communications) where he and his team were instrumental in the planning and development of the C17 Star Lift, Cargo Troop Carrier for the Department of Defense.

Upon full retirement, Colonel Kidd’s interest in Design Engineering led him to one of his passions, as a self-taught architect drawing up home plans and home remodel modifications for clients.

His military decorations and awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with One Silver and Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Air force Outstanding Unit Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Longevity Service, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with One Silver and One Bronze Service Star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge. He was a Command Pilot with over 10,000 hrs. of flying time, the majority of which have been logged in various models of the B-52.

Colonel Kidd is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jenny Kidd; his son, Derek Kidd; his daughter, Debbie Kennedy and her husband, Don; grandchildren, D.J., Danny, Braden, and Hannah; and great-grandchildren, Aidan, Miles, and Theo.

A graveside service to celebrate Colonel Kidd’s life will be Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at 3:00 p.m., at the Johnson United Methodist Church Cemetery, 1890 Flat Rock Rd., Watkinsville, with the Rev. Laura Davis officiating.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the church.

Memorials may be sent to the cemetery fund of Johnson United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 113, Watkinsville, Georgia 30677.

Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, Georgia, is responsible for the arrangements.