[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 70 (Monday, April 28, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    REMEMBERING VICTOR KILLINGSWORTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. VINCE FONG

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 28, 2025

  Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and heroic 
service of Mr. Victor Killingsworth of Taft, California. Victor, a 
veteran of World War II, served our country in the U.S. Navy for over 
three years and made incredible contributions to the Taft community. 
Victor passed away on April 5, 2025, at the age of 104.
  Victor was born on November 11, 1921, in Coalinga, California, to 
Francis and Evelena Killingsworth. Shortly thereafter, Francis and 
Evelena would move to Taft, California, which would become Victor's 
home for over 90 years. After graduating from Taft High School and 
later Taft College, Victor enrolled in the University of California, 
Berkley. While studying there, the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, 
causing the United States to formally enter World War II. Eager to 
defend his country, Victor enlisted in the U.S. Navy at a time when 
Japanese and German naval attacks had stretched American naval forces 
precariously thin. Victor sought to be a more valuable asset to the 
Navy and enrolled in Midshipman School at Columbia University on 
December 7, 1942. Industrious American shipbuilders soon remedied the 
ship shortage with remarkable speed, enabling Victor to later serve in 
the campaigns against Imperial Japan in the Pacific Ocean. During his 
naval training, while at Joint Expeditionary Base--Little Creek, Victor 
met his future wife Margaret (Peggy) Sexton who would keep his morale 
high with frequent devoted letters throughout the war.
  Upon completion of Midshipman School, Victor received orders to be 
assigned to the USS Sumter, a troop transport ship, carrying elements 
of the 4th Marine Division. Assigned to a U.S. Navy Amphibious Squad, 
Victor worked to transport ``Carlson's Raiders'' to Kwajalein Atoll in 
the Marshall Islands in February 1944. He would transport Marines onto 
the six-square mile atoll throughout a fierce four-day battle as part 
of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaign. In the pouring rain and 
amidst choppy surf, Victor towed Marine landing forces behind him to 
the beach like ``ducklings'' as he recalled. Victor later noted that 
his audaciousness in landing so close to enemy positions at night 
seemed to have tricked the Japanese defenders into thinking his boat 
was one of theirs.
  Victor next took part in the operation to capture the island of 
Saipan. While on the island, Victor drove too far into enemy lines 
where he witnessed tremendous human suffering on the island. In one 
location in Saipan, he would successfully urge numerous Japanese 
soldiers to lay down their arms by promising the men they would be 
treated with civility. Adopting similar de-escalation strategies with 
civilians he encountered, Victor's compassion saved many from 
perishing.
  Upon completion of U.S. operations in Saipan in late July 1944, 
Victor transported--in just one day--some 8,000 Marines in 75 boatloads 
across three miles of open ocean to secure the Japanese-held island of 
Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands. This vital island would later 
provide the two airfields necessary for American bombers to quickly 
reach Japan and bring about the culmination of World War II.
  Later in 1944, Victor served as a Communications Officer aboard the 
USS Artemis. While onboard at the onset of the heroic Battle of Iwo 
Jima in February 1945, the USS Artemis sustained withering fire from 
Japanese coastal artillery and was forced to withdraw to Guam. This was 
Victor's final combat of World War II, as the war would end seven 
months later on September 2, 1945. Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 
Victor was honorably discharged, married Peggy, and returned to his 
hometown of Taft.
  The couple ran Taft Sporting Goods for 37 years while raising their 
three daughters--Barbara, Janet, and Patty. Victor was passionate about 
supporting his community, helping launch Westside Little League and 
Westside Jr. Football. Later in life, Victor wrote a book about his 
service titled ``The Gator Navy,'' where he detailed stories of his 
training and service. Cementing his local legacy, Victor conceived of 
the idea to construct the iconic Oil Worker Monument in Taft, the 
largest bronze statue west of the Mississippi River, to mark the 
centennial anniversary of the city. Whether it was his service to our 
country or our community, Victor has certainly left a lasting impact on 
countless individuals. The Taft community remains fortunate and 
grateful to have had such a hero.
  Victor is survived by his daughters: Patty Killingsworth Gray, 
Barbara Killingsworth, and Janet Killingsworth Sandoval; his sons-in-
law: Everett Gray and Miguel Sandoval; five grandchildren: Christian 
Gray, Ashley Gray, John Gray, Sarah Sandoval, and Andrew Sandoval; and 
eight great-grandchildren: Samantha Gray, Andrew Gray, Piper Gray, 
Foster Gray, Lex Gray, Charlotte Sandoval, Victoria Sandoval, and 
Oliver Sandoval.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in remembering Victor Killingsworth, and his legacy of 
invaluable service to both our country and his community.

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