Kolb was an officer aboard the cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) under eventual Medal of Honor recipient Captain Albert H. Rooks when on January 1, 1942 he was assigned as a liaison officer to the free Dutch light cruiser HNLMS De Ruyter. On February 27, 1942 during the Battle of the Java Sea, the De Ruyter was torpedoed by a Japanese cruiser and sank with the loss of 345 of her crew, including a Dutch admiral, the ship's captain, and one brave American.
Lieutenant Kolb was ultimately awarded the Navy Cross for his service aboard an allied ship: allies who had been fighting without a country of their own since May 15, 1940.
From Military Times' Hall of Valor:
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.
Kolb's award of the Navy Cross wasn't finalized until 1986. He was also decorated by the Dutch for his service aboard their vessel in battle. He rests today with his Dutch shipmates aboard the wreck of the De Ruyter.
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