Victor Koll

SUN CITY WEST - Captain Koll passed away of natural causes on July 23, 2016 in Sun City West. Born in Lithuania on 24 July, 1922, a much decorated Coast Guard officer retiring in 1975. He has resided in Arizona since 1978. Capt Koll enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1940. Awarded the Purple Heart with Bar Device for wounds received in the action in the occupation of French Morocco. He rescued seven soldiers from the troop ship Tasker Bliss which was torpedoed and afire off the coast of Casa Blanca Africa. In 1944 he was admitted to the Coast Guard Academy for officers training. Upon graduation his first tour duty was at sea in Alaska. His specialty was command of Coast Guard ships of which he commanded six during thirty three years of service. In 1947 he was sent by order of President Truman to assist in the establishment of the Korean Coast Guard. In 1965 he headed Coast Guard forces in the geosciences upper mantle seismic studies. After retirement he became a member of the International Police Association and was appointed the representative of Lithuania in the United States. He was preceded in death by his son, Richard. He is survived by his sons, Dennis and Victor Koll; and two grandchildren, Richard Koll (Michelle) and Sarah Koll; his wife, Joan and children, Leslie Mathews (James), Jon Babcock (Patty), Phillip Babcock, Melissa Stave (Robert); and six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. A service will be held at the National Cemetery in the fall. Memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Valley, Surprise, AZ. Please join Victor's family in sharing pictures, memories or videos on his tribute wall at www.caminodelsol.com.