COL DANIEL C. POLLOCK, then Lieutenant Colonel, United States Marine Corps. For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, Fifth Marine Division, Volcano Islands, 19 March 1945. With his battalion reduced to forty-three percent of its landing strength and the remaining members in a critical state of fatigue during the fifth consecutive day of combat against strong enemy defenses concealed by camouflage in extremely rough terrain, Lieutenant Colonel Pollock moved forward into the front lines under intense fire and, conducting a thorough personal reconnaissance of this dangerous area, prepared a bold enveloping maneuver aimed toward positions behind Hill 165, the last high ground on the island controlled by the Japanese. Increasing the morale and fighting efficiency of the battalion by words of encouragement as he proceeded from man to man, Lieutenant Colonel Pollock inspired a new confidence in his exhausted men and led a daring attack through the enemy to the rear of the hill, disorganizing the defending force and annihilating hostile troops who attempted withdrawal. A brilliant and fearless leader, he directed the capture and occupation of the hill with only a minimum personnel losses and led a small reconnaissance patrol into hazardous, unexplored beach areas, locating routes of approach to the final ravine positions of the Japanese. His superb tactics, fearless aggressiveness, indomitable spirit and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of grave danger were decisive factors in the elimination of a vital strong point, and his heroic conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Pollock and the United States Naval Service.

Colonel Pollock resided in Virginia.