Vaclav H. Koci

MEDALS-RIBBONS: Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit w/Palm/Gold Frame, Vietnam Campaign

Vaclav "Jim" proudly served his country during a time of crisis. He received numerous awards and citations for his outstanding service.

Born 9/1/29 in Nelson, Nebraska

Grew up on farm near Hebron, Ne.

Graduated from Hebron High School May 1947

Enlisted in Navy in November 1950

Boot Camp NTC San Diego 12/50 to 2/51

Airman Prep School Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Fl. 3/51 to 5/51

Aircontrolman School NAS Olathe, Ks. 6/51 to 8/51

Duty at NAS Atlantic City, NJ. 9/51 thru 3/52

NAVAL  AVIATION CADET for flight training in Pensacola, Fl and Hutchinson, Ks 4/52 to 10/53

Commissioned Ensign and awarded Navy Wings at NAS Hutchinson, Ks 10/53

VP-28 Patrol Squadron home ported NAS Barbers Point, Ha 11/53 to 11/56

Naval Air Technical Training Unit, NAS Olathe, Ks 12/56 to 2/60

Married Madeline Sedlak in Los Angeles 9/14/57

First child, Steve, was born in 1958 while stationed in Kansas

VP-21 Patrol Squadron home ported NAS Brunswick, Ma 3/60 to 5/62

While in Maine, daughter Debra and son Mark were born

Fleet Air Wing One, Buckner Bay, Okinawa 6/62 to 7/64, where 4^th child, Kathi, was born in 1963

NAS Moffett, Sunnyvale, Ca 8/64 to 10/66

VP-31 @ NAS North Island 11/66 to 6/67

VO-67 @ NAS Alameda, Ca & Royal Thai Air Force Base, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand 7/67 to 7/68.  Awarded the Vietnam Service Medal,  2 Air Medals,  2 Navy Commendations  and the Presidential Unit Citation (awarded on May 14, 2008) for this tour of duty

NAVAL  COMMUNICATIONS COMMAND, Washington, D.C. 8/68 TO 7/71.

Retired from Navy 7/1/71.

Significant Navy promotions:  Ensign & Naval Aviator Wings on 10/06/53; Lt. Junior Grade (LTJG) on 03/03/55; Leiutenant on 08/01/57; Lt. Commander on 07/01/63; Commander on 09/01/67.

After retirement, graduated from San Diego State University 12/73 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

Taught Accounting classes 1974 to 1978.

Established KOCI Income Tax & Bookkeeping Service in 1976 and operated until 1998.

Owned and operated residential apartments from 1974 to present.

Other:

Since retirement from the Navy in 1971, have resided in the same house @ 7066 Bobhird Drive in San Diego with wife, Madeline

In 1980, lost son Mark in a bicycling accident

Six grandchildren: Christopher, Bryan, Holly, Grace, Nicole and Breanne

Two great grandchildren: Kelty and Coen; hopefully more on the way some day…?

Both Jim and Madeline enjoy travelling throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean. Especially enjoy the Hawaiian Islands.

Jim’s favorite hobby/past-time:  fishing and attending San Diego State Aztec Football and Basketball games