View source for OTTO F. KOLB, JR., LT, USN

{{KeyDates|name_class=Otto Kolb, Jr. '36|DoB=June 3, 1914|DoD=February 28, 1942|Age=27}}

{{LuckyBag|LBLink=https://archive.org/details/luckybag1936unse|class=1936
|picture=1936 Kolb LB.jpg
|LBName=Otto Ferdinand Kolb, Jr.
|LBHometown=Savannah, Georgia
|LBNickname="Otto"
|LBText=At any place other than the Naval Academy Otto would be referred to as the life of the party. Without his smooth line and pleasing personality no bull session is complete. Before he entered the Academy he found an outlet for his oversupply of words announcing in a radio station, but since no such opportunities are offered here he has changed his pastimes to writing letters and amateur photography. Academics are the least of his worries, but he does not mind working when anything has to be done. He has that peculiar ability of being able to make friends with any and every one and this combined with his friendly manner has obtained for him a position of esteem among his classmates. May his success continue.
|LBECAs=''Football Manager 4, 3, 2; Baseball 4; Reception Committee; Glee Club 4, 3, 2, 1; Masqueraders 2; Reef Points 2, 1; Lucky Bag Class History Editor; Star 3, 2, 1; Three Stripes''}}

== Loss ==
Otto was lost when [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HNLMS_De_Ruyter_(1935) HNLMS De Ruyter] was sunk by a Japanese aerial torpedo during the Battle of the Java Sea February 28, 1942. He was aboard as a liaison officer for the (Dutch) commander of the Allied Striking Force. Previously, he had [http://theirfinesthour.blogspot.com/2013/02/tfh-227-lieutenant-otto-f-kolb-jr-usn.html served aboard USS Houston (CA 30)] until assigned to the staff on January 1, 1942.

Another American aboard, a signalman, was quoted in the Pittsburgh Press on March 27, 1942 that Otto and a British liaison officer survived the sinking and were in a lifeboat.

== Other Information ==
From researcher Kathy Franz: In 1930, Otto was a radio operator at a receiving station in Savannah. He attended the Marion Institute 1931-1932. His parents were Otto, Sr., and Annie Mary. His brother Karl W. was in the Marines for 26 years and retired as a Colonel. 

His wife was [http://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USNbyNameK.htm listed as] next of kin. She [http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/savannah/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=154962585 remarried after the war].

Otto is remembered at the [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56776391/otto_ferdinand_kolb Manila American Cemetery and Memorial]; he has another Find A Grave page [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/266549988/otto-ferdinand-kolb here].

== Related Articles ==
It's likely that Otto knew many, if not all, of [[:Category:USS Houston (CA 30)|the men lost in USS Houston (CA 30)]].

== Navy Cross ==
From [http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=5980 Hall of Valor]:
<blockquote>
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Otto Ferdinand Kolb, Jr. (NSN: 0-77161), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Liaison Officer with the Commander Allied Striking Force, serving on Her Majesty's ship De RUYTER, in the defense of Java during the period 1 January 1942 to 27 February 1942. Lieutenant Kolb acted to establish and effect communications between the vessels of the Allied Forces and rendered valuable service in maintaining those communications under most difficult conditions during hotly contested action with enemy Japanese forces. The conduct of Lieutenant Kolb throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Action Date: January 1 - February 27, 1942<br/>
Service: Navy<br/>
Rank: Lieutenant<br/>
Division: H.M.S. De Ruyter
</blockquote>

{{NDexplainer}}
{{ND|date=July 1936|rank=Ensign|command=USS Maryland
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[JOHN L. PHILLIPS, JR., LCDR, USN|ENS John Phillips, Jr. '33]]<br />[[GEORGE E. DAVIS, JR., LT, USN|ENS George Davis, Jr. '35]]
|column2=[[ROSCOE F. DILLEN, JR., LT, USN|ENS Roscoe Dillen, Jr. '35]]
|column3=[[LAWRENCE L. EDGE, CDR, USN|ENS Lawrence Edge '35]]}}
|others2={{NDcolumns|columns=2|column1=[[FRANK S. FERNALD, LT, USN|ENS Frank Fernald '33]] (Observation Plane Squadron (VO) 4B)
|column2=}}}}
{{ND|date=January 1937|rank=Ensign|command=USS Maryland
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[ROSCOE F. DILLEN, JR., LT, USN|ENS Roscoe Dillen, Jr. '35]]
|column2=[[LAWRENCE L. EDGE, CDR, USN|ENS Lawrence Edge '35]]}}
|others2={{NDcolumns|columns=2|column1=[[FRANK S. FERNALD, LT, USN|ENS Frank Fernald '33]] (Observation Plane Squadron (VO) 4B)
|column2=[[GEORGE E. DAVIS, JR., LT, USN|ENS George Davis, Jr. '35]] (Observation Plane Squadron (VO) 4B)}}}}
{{ND|date=April 1937|rank=Ensign|command=USS Maryland
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[ROSCOE F. DILLEN, JR., LT, USN|ENS Roscoe Dillen, Jr. '35]]
|column2=[[LAWRENCE L. EDGE, CDR, USN|ENS Lawrence Edge '35]]}}
|others2={{NDcolumns|columns=2|column1=[[FRANK S. FERNALD, LT, USN|ENS Frank Fernald '33]] (Observation Plane Squadron (VO) 4B)
|column2=[[GEORGE E. DAVIS, JR., LT, USN|ENS George Davis, Jr. '35]] (Observation Plane Squadron (VO) 4B)}}}}
{{ND|date=September 1937|rank=Ensign|command=USS Maryland
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[ROSCOE F. DILLEN, JR., LT, USN|ENS Roscoe Dillen, Jr. '35]]
|column2=[[LAWRENCE L. EDGE, CDR, USN|ENS Lawrence Edge '35]]
|column3=[[ELI ROTH, LT, USN|ENS Eli Roth '37]]}}}}
{{ND|date=January 1938|rank=Ensign|command=USS Savannah
|others2={{NDcolumns|columns=2|column1=[[JOHN A. COLLETT, LCDR, USN|LT John Collett '29]] (Aviation Unit)
|column2=}}}}
{{ND|date=July 1938|rank=Ensign|command=USS Savannah
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[JAMES W. DANFORTH, LTJG, USN|ENS James Danforth '38]]
|column2=[[JOHN L. ERICKSON, LCDR, USN|ENS John Erickson '38]]}}
|others2={{NDcolumns|columns=2|column1=[[JOHN A. COLLETT, LCDR, USN|LT John Collett '29]] (Aviation Unit)
|column2=}}}}
{{ND|date=January 1939|rank=Ensign|command=USS Savannah
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[JAMES W. DANFORTH, LTJG, USN|ENS James Danforth '38]]
|column2=[[JOHN L. ERICKSON, LCDR, USN|ENS John Erickson '38]]}}
|others2={{NDcolumns|columns=2|column1=[[JOHN A. COLLETT, LCDR, USN|LT John Collett '29]] (Aviation Unit)
|column2=}}}}
{{ND|date=October 1939|rank=Ensign|command=USS Lexington
|others={{NDcolumns|columns=3|column1=[[CLAIR L. MILLER, CDR, USN|LT Clair Miller '29]]<br />[[EDWARD M. PRICE, LTJG, USN|ENS Edward Price '39]]
|column2=[[FRANK H. KOLB, JR., LT, USN|ENS Frank Kolb, Jr. '39]]<br />[[ALLAN G. WUSSOW, LCDR, USN|ENS Allan Wussow '39]]
|column3=[[EDWARD H. SEILER, JR., CAPT, USN|ENS Edward Seiler, Jr. '39]]}}
|others2={{NDcolumns|columns=2|column1=[[CHARLES L. CROMMELIN, CDR, USN|LT Charles Crommelin '31]] (Fighting Squadron (VF) 2)<br />[[BURDEN R. HASTINGS, LT, USN|LTjg Burden Hastings '33]] (Bombing Squadron (VB) 2)
|column2=[[RICHARD MCGOWAN, CDR, USN|LTjg Richard McGowan '35]] (Torpedo Squadron (VT) 2)<br />[[CLYDE H. MCCROSKEY, JR., LCDR, USN|LTjg Clyde McCroskey, Jr. '35]] (Scouting Squadron (VS) 2)}}}}
{{ND|date=June 1940|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Paul Jones}}
{{ND|date=November 1940|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Paul Jones}}
{{ND|date=April 1941|rank=Lieutenant (j.g.)|command=USS Paul Jones}}

{{ClassNav|PAGE_ID={{PAGEID}}|Name=Otto|ClassYear=1936|PreviousPersonLink=ARTHUR L. GUSTAFSON, LT, USN|PreviousPersonName=Arthur Gustafson '36|NextPersonLink=PHILLIP G. WILD, JR., LT, USN|NextPersonName=Phillip Wild, Jr. '36}}

[[Category:1936|Kolb]]
[[Category:USNA 6th Company|Kolb]]
[[Category:US Navy|Kolb]]
[[Category:KIA|Kolb]]
[[Category:WWII|Kolb]]
[[Category:Pacific|Kolb]]
[[Category:Battle of the Java Sea|Kolb]]
[[Category:Ship|Kolb]]
[[Category:HNLMS De Ruyter|Kolb]]
[[Category:Navy Cross|Kolb]]
{{KIA|panel=OTTO FERDINAND KOLB, JR.}}