Corps Schools, Quantico. During his time there, he spent a period of intensive training aboard the battleship USS Arkansas, while attached to the 1st Marine Regiment. At the beginning of August 1934, Pollock was transferred to the cruiser USS Salt Lake City, where he assumed command of the Marine detachment aboard. While in this capacity, he was promoted to the rank of captain in November 1934. During June 1936, Pollock was assigned to the Marine barracks at Naval Ammunition Depot St. Julien's Creek, Virginia and spent there one year of duty, before he was ordered to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where he was appointed as officer in charge of the Publicity Bureau. He was promoted to the rank of major during September 1938 and finally left Philadelphia in June 1939. Pollock was subsequently attached to the Senior Course at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico and following his graduation, he remained in Quantico Schools as Assistant Instructor in the Base Defense Weapons and Reserve Officers' courses. World War II Following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor, Pollock was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel January 1942 and subsequently assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment under Colonel Clifton B. Cates. The 1st Marines went overseas as a part of the 1st Marine Division in June 1942 and Pollock subsequently led his troops on Guadalcanal during the Battle of the Tenaru at the end of August 1942. During the Japanese attack in the night of 20–21 August, 2nd Battalion under Pollock's command hold defensive positions on Tenaru River. Pollock left his command post and advanced through severe enemy mortar and machine-gun fire to a position in the front line, where he directed the defense of his forces for next twelve hours. The men under his command destroyed practically the entire enemy force of seven hundred. For his courage and leadership during the battle, Pollock was decorated with the second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat, Navy Cross. He also received his first Navy Presidential Unit Citation, which is awarded for gallantry and determination of the whole unit. His Navy Cross citation states in part: "When the troops under his command were subjected to a powerful and determined surprise attack at the Tenaru River, Lieutenant-Colonel Pollock, immediately leaving his Command Post, advanced through severe enemy mortar and machine-gun fire to a position in the front line, and while thus constantly