Emmett Hulcy Tidd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Emmett Hulcy
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Vice Admiral Emmett H. Tidd as Commander Naval Surface Forces Pacific
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| Born | October 6, 1923 Shreveport, Louisiana |
| Died | March 20, 2018 (aged 94) Annapolis, Maryland |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1942–1976 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held | Naval Surface Force, Pacific Fleet Navy Recruiting Command Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla Six Task Group 60.2 Task Group 502.2 USS Everglades (AD-24) USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2) USS Richard B. Anderson (DD-786) USS Force (AM-445) |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit |
| Relations | Admiral Kurt W. Tidd (son) Rear Admiral Mark L. Tidd (son) |
Emmett Hulcy Tidd (born October 6, 1923 – died March 20, 2018) was a high-ranking officer, a Vice Admiral, in the United States Navy. He served his country for many years, including during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
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Early Life and Education
Emmett Tidd was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on October 6, 1923. He went to Central High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After high school, he started college at the University of Oklahoma. His college studies were paused when he joined the Navy. He later finished his bachelor's degree in 1948.
Emmett Tidd joined the Navy Reserve in 1942. He was a seaman apprentice, which is a junior sailor. While at the University of Oklahoma, he also joined the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. This program helps college students become Navy officers.
Early Ship Assignments
In 1945, Tidd became an ensign, a low-ranking officer. His first job was on the destroyer USS Gyatt (DD-712). He helped prepare the ship before it was officially ready for duty. Once the Gyatt was commissioned, he became an assistant first lieutenant and helped manage damage control. He left the Gyatt in 1946 to finish his college degree.
Serving in the Korean War
When the Korean War began, Tidd volunteered to return to active duty. He was promoted to Lieutenant junior grade. He served on the USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754). While on the Evans, he took part in the Siege of Wonsan in 1951.
After this, he worked in the Bureau of Naval Personnel from 1952 to 1954. During this time, he officially became a full-time active duty Navy officer. He then served as an operations officer on the USS Radford (DD-446). On the Radford, he helped with the evacuation of the Tachen Islands near China. He also worked as an anti-submarine warfare and gunnery officer.
Commanding Ships
In November 1956, Tidd took command of the USS Force (AM-445). He led this ship in special missions in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He was promoted to lieutenant commander during this time.
After commanding the Force, he studied at the Naval War College from 1958 to 1959. Then he worked in the Navy's Strategic Plans Division.
In May 1961, he became the commander of the USS Richard B. Anderson (DD-786). While he was in charge, the Anderson took part in Operation Swordfish. This was a test where an ASROC anti-submarine rocket with a nuclear warhead was fired for the first time. The Anderson also helped during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
In 1963, Commander Tidd took command of the USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2). After this, he returned to the Strategic Plans Division.
High-Ranking Roles
By June 1968, Tidd was promoted to captain. He commanded the USS Everglades (AD-24). After this, he became the Chief of Staff for Vice Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. Zumwalt was the Commander of Naval Forces in Vietnam at the time.
After his time in Vietnam, Tidd was selected for promotion to rear admiral in 1970. He then became a special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. He held this important role from 1970 to 1971.
He then commanded Cruiser Destroyer Flotilla Six. He was also Commander Task Group 56.2 and Commander Task Group 502.2, which are large groups of ships.
In April 1972, Tidd took command of the Navy Recruiting Command. His job was to prepare the Navy to become an all-volunteer force. This meant people would join the Navy because they wanted to, not because they were drafted. He was promoted to vice admiral in 1974.
In June 1975, Vice Admiral Tidd became the commander of the Naval Surface Force, Pacific Fleet. In this role, he helped combine all the Pacific Fleet's surface ships, amphibious ships, and SEAL forces under one command.
Retirement
Vice Admiral Tidd retired from the Navy in August 1976. After retiring, he served on the boards of directors for Atlas Van Lines and the Armed Services YMCA. He was even the chairman of the YMCA board in 1981 and 1982. He passed away on March 20, 2018, at 94 years old.
Awards and Honors
Emmett Tidd received many awards for his service, including:
- Distinguished Service Medal with two gold stars
- Legion of Merit
- Navy Commendation Medal with two gold stars and Combat V
- Navy Unit Commendation with star
- Naval Reserve Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- World War 2 Victory Medal
- China Service Medal
- National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
- Korean Service Medal with three stars
- United Nations Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
Family Life
Emmett Tidd married Margaret in 1945. His sons also became high-ranking Navy officers. Kurt Tidd retired as an admiral in 2018. Mark Tidd retired in 2014 as a rear admiral and was the Chief of Navy Chaplains. One of his daughters-in-law also served in the Navy.
