Daniel C. Pollock

Daniel Carroll Pollock (December 27, 1913 - December 23, 2007) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps colonel. He was awarded the Navy Cross during the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.
Early life and career
Daniel C. Pollock was born on December 27, 1913, in Washington, D.C. He attended Central High School where he was a member of the Cadet Corps, graduating in 1931 as valedictorian. He then attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and George Washington University before he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1936. Pollock was later commissioned as a second lieutenant.
World War II
In 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Pollock was given command of the newly formed 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division at San Diego, California. and Dunlap would later be awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle of Iwo Jima.
Battle of Iwo Jima
At 09:00 hours on February 19, elements of the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions assaulted the beaches of Iwo Jima. The 26th Marine Regiment, as the 5th Division's reserve, did not initially land at H-Hour. However, they were soon needed as the initial landing waves took heavy casualties. Pollock and his battalion landed at Red Beach at 15:00 hours.
By March 19, Pollock's battalion had been reduced to a fighting strength of just over 400 Marines, down from its original strength of 1,000 men on D-Day. The remaining Marines under his charge were fatigued from five consecutive days of combat against heavily fortified positions in rugged terrain at Kitano Point. Despite heavy fire, Pollock moved to the front line and conducted a reconnaissance of Hill 165, the last high ground held by the Japanese on the island. Shortly after, Pollock led a small patrol into unexplored northern beach areas near the enemy's last defended strongholds. For his actions that day, Pollock was later awarded the Navy Cross in 1946.<ref name=":0" />
Later career and life
When the war ended, Pollock became one of the first Americans to lead Marines onto the Japanese mainland. Pollock remained in the Marines until his retirement as a colonel in the mid 1960s. His final assignment was with the plans and policies directorate of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Upon retirement, Pollock settled in McLean, Virginia. He became active in his community, volunteering for the American Red Cross and numerous organizations in McLean and the nearby town of Herndon. Pollock was also the 5th Marine Division's representative to the National Marine Corps Council and was instrumental in planning the Marine Corps' remembrances for the 45th and 50th anniversaries of the battle of Iwo Jima.
Daniel C. Pollock died of sepsis on December 23, 2007, at his home in McLean. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

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