This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Pollock, Edwin Taylor, CAPT USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Last Address Mount Gilead
Date of Passing Jun 06, 1943
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Last Known Activity:
During the war, Pollock was appointed as Captain on the USS George Washington, a German cruise liner which was repossessed by the United States military for use as a transport ship. She was rechristened George Washington in September 1917 and Pollock was given her command on October 1, 1917. That December, she set out with her first load of troops. During the war, Pollock successfully transported 60,00 American soldiers to France in 18 round trips.[24] In 1918, the George Washington was tasked to deliver PresidentWoodrow Wilson to the Paris Peace Conference, though Pollock would not make the trip. He was reassigned on September 29, 1918.
After the war, he was eventually reassigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, to serve in the Pacific fleet.[24] On November 10, 1920, Pollock was awarded a Navy Cross for his services during the war.[
Oliver was unable to travel immediately to the Islands and the honor of being the first Acting Governor of the United States Virgin Islands was decided in an unusual way. Both Pollock, commanding the USS Hancock, and B. B. Blerer's USS Olympia were dispatched to the Islands in a race. The commander of the ship that arrived first would officiate at the transfer ceremony and be Acting Governor.[22] Pollock arrived first and the transfer ceremony took place on March 31, 1917 on Saint Thomas. Blerer officiated at a smaller ceremony on Saint Croix. Present for the handover was the crew of the KDM Valkyrien and the former island legislature.[23] The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, less than a week after securing the islands. Oliver was confirmed by Congress on April 20 and relieved Pollock as Governor.
Illinois Class Battleship: Displacement 11,565 Tons, Dimensions, 374' (oa) x 72' 3" x 25' (Max), Armament 4 x 13"/35 14 x 6"/40, 4 x 18" tt. Armor, 16" 1/2 Belt, 14" Turrets, 4 " Decks, 10" Conning Tower.Machinery, 10,000 IHP; 2 vertical, Inverted, triple expansion engines, 2 screws. Speed, 16 Knots, Crew 536.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by Cramp, Philadelphia, on December 2, 1896. Launched May 18, 1898. Commissioned October 16, 1900, Decommissioned August 17, 1909, Recommissioned July 1, 1912, Decommissioned July 1, 1914, Recommissioned April 5, 1917, Decommissioned May 7, 1920. Transferred to War Department, September 15, 1921.
Fate: Used as Target by Army Air Corps, September 27, 1921, in Chesapeake Bay. Hulk sold for scrap, March 19, 1924.