USS SLC...USMC...Edwin A. Pollock, General, USMC

Edwin A. Pollock passed away on Nov. 5th, 1982 in Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Navy Cross winner at the battle of Guadalcanal and the only Marine to have commanded both Fleet Marine Forces.

Native of Augusta, GA; studied at Summerville Academy and Staunton Military Academy. Graduated from The Citadel in 1921 and commissioned into the US Marine Corps; early tours as an infantry officer in Dominican Republic and Nicaragua as well as sea duty on cruiser USS Galveston and battleship USS Arkansas, Marine Detachment Commander on cruiser USS Salt Lake City.

As a LtCol in 1942 Pollock won the Navy Cross as a Battalion Commander with the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division at the Battle of the Tenaru River, he also served in the campaigns at New Guinea and Cape Gloucester and was Chief of Staff of the 4th Marine Division at Iwo Jima. Postwar tours included service at Quantico, VA and Marine Corps HQ, in 1951 as a Major General he assumed command of the 2d Marine Division at Camp Lejeune and the following year became Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division in Korea.

Following the Korean War he was Director of Marine Education at Quantico and the Commanding General of Marine Recruit Depot Parris Island, after promotion to LtGen in 1956 he served as Commandant of Marine Corps Schools then subsequently commanded both the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and Fleet Marine Force, Pacific; the only Marine to have lead both commands.

After retiring in 1959 he received a rare honorary promotion to 4 star general, one of only 18 in Corps history accorded this honor. In 1965 he was instrumental in founding the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, TX and served as the schools first President and Commandant. He later served as Chairman of The Citadels Board of Visitors and was named Chairman Emeritus when his term ended, he was also President of the The Beaufort Citadel Club. The causeway leading to the Recruit Depot at Parris Island and the auditorium at HQ FMF, Atlantic are both named in his honor.

Created by: bob mebane
Record added: May 29, 2011