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Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Francis C. Pollard, United States Coast Guard, for meritorious achievement as a commanding officer of the U.S.C.G.C. NORTHLAND in attacking and probably destroying an enemy submarine in the North Atlantic 18 June 1942. Although handicapped by inadequate equipment and a limited number of depth charges, the NORTHLAND made two depth charge attacks which resulted in large air and oil bubbles in the area of the attack. No further contact could be made following the second attack though the area was vigorously search by both surface and aircraft. The accuracy of the attacks resulted in severe damage and probable destruction of the enemy as verified by the persistent oil slick and air bubbles that continued to rise from the scene of the attack as late as ten hours after the initial depth charging.

Awards Received

  • Navy and Marine Corps Medal

    Service:

    United States Coast Guard

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.C.G.C. Northland

    Action Date:

    November 23, 1942
    U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander Francis C. Pollard, United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroic conduct as commanding officer of the U.S.C.G.C. NORTHLAND during the rescue of three members of the Royal Canadian Air Force from the Greenland Ice Cap on 23 November 1942. Upon receiving the message that an A-20 bomber with three crew members were marooned on the Ice Cap Lieutenant Commander Pollard immediately proceeded to the position given and for four days through heavy fog and snow storms, stood off and on position. Finally when the fog lifted and the latitude could be determined by sunlight, he maneuvered his ship through dangerous ice and with the aid of a volunteer crew from the ship directed the perilous operations, which resulted in the rescue of the stranded man, who might otherwise have perished.