For the Battle of Leyte Gulf, see Leyte Gulf order of battle
On 17 October 1944, troops of the United States Sixth Army under the direct command of Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, invaded the Philippine island of Leyte. This operation was the beginning of General Douglas MacArthur's fulfillment of his promise in March 1942 to the Filipino people that he would liberate them from Japanese rule.
MacArthur's formal title was Supreme Commander, Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific Area. The amphibious landings were carried out and supported by the United States Seventh Fleet, including 1 British and 11 Australian ships, under the direction of Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid.
Seventh Fleet Combat ships: 18 escort carriers, 6 old battleships, 5 heavy cruisers, 4 light cruisers, 34 destroyers, 17 destroyer escorts 280+ amphibious landing and support ships 110+ auxiliaries
In case the Imperial Japanese Navy interfered, additional air cover was provided by the fast carriers of the US Third Fleet under the command of Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr.. Third Fleet 9 fleet carriers, 8 light carriers, 6 fast battleships, 3 heavy cruisers, 7 light cruisers, 3 anti-aircraft light cruisers, 58 destroyers
US Seventh Fleet
Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in amphibious command ship
Combat Units
Central Philippines Attack Force (Task Force 77) Vice Admiral Kinkaid
Flag group 1 light cruiser 1 (15 × 6-in. main battery): 4 destroyers All (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , ,
Close Covering Group (Task Group 77.3) Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey
2 heavy cruisers Both (8 × 8-in. main battery): , 2 light cruisers Both (15 × 6-in. main battery): , 6 destroyers 4 (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , 2 (8 × 4.7-in. main battery): ,
Escort Carrier Group (Task Group 77.4)
Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague
"Taffy 1" Rear Admiral T.L. Sprague
6 escort carriers (Capt. M.E. Browder) Air Group 37 (Lt. Cmdr. S.E. Hindman) 17 F6F Hellcat fighters 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. W.D. Johnson) Air Group 60 (Lt. Cmdr. H.O. Feilbach, USNR) 22 F6F Hellcat fighters 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. George van Deurs) Air Group 35 (Lt. Cmdr. F.T. Moore) 22 F6F Hellcat fighters 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. Robert E. Blick) Air Group 26 (Lt. Cmdr. H.N. Funk) 24 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 6 TBF Avenger, 3 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Carrier Division 28 (Rear Adm. George R. Henderson) (Capt. F.C. Sutton) Composite Squadron 78 (Lt. Cmdr. J.L. Hyde, USNR) 15 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. J.L. Kane) Composite Squadron 76 (Lt. Cmdr. J.W. McCauley, USNR) 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 10 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Screen 3 destroyers All (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , 5 destroyer escorts 4 (2 × 5-in. main battery): , , , 1 (3 × 3-in. main battery):
"Taffy 2" Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump
6 escort carriers (Capt. Albert K. Morehouse) Composite Squadron 81 (Lt. Cmdr. R.C. Barnes) 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. Fitzhugh Lee, III) Composite Squadron 80 (Lt. Cmdr. H.K. Stubbs, USNR) 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Carrier Division 27 (Rear Adm. William D. Sample) (Capt. C.F. Greber) Composite Squadron 21 (Lt. Cmdr T.O. Murray) 12 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. R.N. Hunter) Composite Squadron 20 (Lt. Cmdr. J.R. Dale) 15 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. Clarence E. Ekstrom) Composite Squadron 27 (Lt. Cmdr. P.W. Jackson) 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. H.L. Young) Composite Squadron 75 (Lt. Cmdr. A.W. Smith) 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Screen (Capt. L.K. Reynolds) 3 destroyers All (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , 5 destroyer escorts All (2 × 5-in. main battery): , , , ,
"Taffy 3" Rear Admiral Clifton A.F. Sprague
6 escort carriers (Capt. D.P. Johnson) Composite Squadron 68 (Lt. Cmdr. R.S. Rogers) 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers ( at the Battle off Samar, 25 Oct) (Capt. Francis J. McKenna) Composite Squadron 65 (Lt. Cmdr. R.M. Jones, USMR) 17 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. D.J. Sullivan) Composite Squadron 4 (Lt. E.R. Fickenscher) 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers (Capt. T.B. Williamson) Composite Squadron 3 (Lt. Cmdr. W.H. Keighley) 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 1 TBF Avenger, 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Carrier Division 26 (Rear Adm. Ralph A. Ofstie) (Capt. John P. Whitney) Composite Squadron 5 (Cmdr. R.L. Fowler) 14 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers ( at the Battle off Samar, 25 Oct) (Capt. Walter V. R. Vieweg) Composite Squadron 10 (Lt. Cmdr. E.J. Huxtable) 18 FM-2 Wildcat fighters 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers Screen (Cmdr. W.D. Thomas) 3 destroyers All (5 × 5-in. main battery): ( at the Battle off Samar, 25 Oct), , ( at the Battle off Samar, 25 Oct) 4 destroyer escorts All (2 × 5-in. main battery): , , , ( at the Battle off Samar, 25 Oct)
Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group (Task Group 77.5)
Commander W.R. Loud
1 frigate: 1 destroyer transport: 7 fast minesweepers: , , , , , , 12 minesweepers 7 : , , , , , , 5 : , , , , 2 minelayers: , 26 auxiliary motor minesweepers 1 harbour defence motor launch: 1074
Beach Demolition Group (Task Group 77.6) Lt. Commander C.C. Morgan, USNR
11 fast transports Embarking Underwater Demolition Teams 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 8 ex-s: , , , , , , , 2 ex-s: , 1 ex-:
Amphibious Assault Units
Northern Attack Force (Task Force 78)
Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey in amphibious command ship Embarking X Army Corps under Maj. Gen. Franklin C. Sibert
Palo Attack Group (Task Group 78.1): Left beaches Rear Admiral Barbey Embarking 24th Infantry ("Taro") Division under Maj. Gen. Frederick A. Irving Transport Unit (Capt. T.B. Brittain) Transport Division 24 (Capt. Brittain) 4 attack transports: , , , 1 transport: John Land 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship dock: Transport Division 6 (Capt. H.D. Baker) 3 attack transports: , , 1 attack cargo ship: 1 cargo ship: 2 landing ship docks: , Screen (Capt. Henry Crommelin) 4 destroyers All (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , Control and Close Support Unit (Capt. N.D. Brantly) 4 submarine chasers: 3 steel hull, 1 wooden hull 16 landing craft infantry: 9 standard, 5 rocket, 2 gunboat 3 patrol craft escort 1 frigate 3 landing ships medium 2 fleet tugs: ,
San Ricardo Attack Group (Task Group 78.2): Right beaches Rear Admiral W.M. Fechteler in attack transport Embarking 1st Cavalry Division under Maj. Gen. Verne D. Mudge Transport Unit (Capt. M.O. Carlson) Transport Division 32 (Capt. Carlson) 4 attack transports: , 1 transport: 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship dock: Transport Division 20 (Capt. D.W. Loomis) 3 attack transports: , , 1 transport: 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship dock: 9 landing ships medium Screen (Capt. A.E. Jarrell) 4 destroyers 3 (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , 1 (4 × 5-in. main battery): 1 fleet tug: 8 landing craft infantry: 6 rocket, 2 gunboat 14 landing ships tank
Fire Support Unit North (Rear Adm. George L. Weyler) 3 old battleships 2 (8 × 16-in. main battery): , 1 (12 × 14-in. main battery): 3 destroyers All (5 × 5-in. main battery): , ,
Panaon Attack Group (Task Group 78.3) Rear Admiral A.D. Struble in Embarking 21st Regimental Combat Team / 24th Infantry Division 3 landing ships infantry: , , 4 s (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , 1 (4 × 5-in. main battery): 1 minelayer:
Dinagat Attack Group (Task Group 78.4) Rear Admiral Struble in Embarking 6th Ranger Battalion and Co. B / 21st Infantry 5 fast transports: (all ex-s): , , , , 2 s (4 × 5-in. main battery): , 2 frigates (3 × 3-in. main battery): , 1 fleet tug:
Reinforcement Group One (Task Group 78.6) Captain S.P. Jenkins Arriving 22 October Amphibious assault vessels 6 attack transports: , , , , , 1 transport: 1 cargo ship: 1 repair ship: 4 merchant ships 32 landing ships tank 12 landing craft infantry Escort (Capt. E.A. Solomons) 4 destroyers 2 (5 × 5-in. main battery): , 2 (4 × 5-in. main battery): , 2 frigates Both (3 × 3-in. main battery): ,
Reinforcement Group Two (Task Group 78.7) Captain J.K.B. Ginder Arriving 24 October Amphibious assault vessels 32 landing ships tank 24 merchant ships Escort (Capt. Ginder) 4 destroyers All (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , 2 frigates Both (3 × 3-in. main battery): ,
Reinforcement Group Three (Task Group 78.9) Commander J.L. Steinmetz, USCG Arriving 29 October Amphibious assault vessels 62 landing ships tank 19 merchant ships Escort (Capt. W.M. Cole) 5 destroyers All (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , 4 frigates All (3 × 3-in. main battery): , , ,
Southern Attack Force (Task Force 79)
Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson in amphibious command ship Embarking XXIV Army Corps under Lieut. Gen. John R. Hodge
Attack Group "Able" (Task Group 79.1): Left beaches Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly in amphibious command ship Embarking 7th Infantry "Bayonet" Division under Maj. Gen. Archibald V. Arnold
Transport Group "Able" (Task Group 79.3) Captain C.G. Richardson Transport Division 7 (Capt. Richardson) 3 attack transports: , , 1 transport: Golden City 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship dock: Transport Division 30 (Capt. C.A. Mission) 3 attack transports: , , 1 evacuation transport: 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship dock: Transport Division 38 (Capt. Charles Allen) 3 attack transports: , , 2 transports: , 1 attack cargo ships: Transport Division "X-Ray" (Capt. J.A. Snackenberg) 2 attack transports: , 1 cargo ship: Screen (Capt. W.J. Marshall) 8 destroyers All (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , , , ,
Attack Group "Baker" (Task Group 79.2): Right beaches Rear Admiral Forrest B. Royal Embarking 96th Infantry ("Deadeye") Division under Maj. Gen. James L. Bradley
TG 79.4 Transport Group "Baker" (Task Group 79.4) Capt. H.B. Knowles Transport Division 10 (Capt. G.D. Morrison) 4 attack transports: , , , 1 transport: 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship vehicle: Transport Division 18 (Capt. Knowles) 3 attack transports: , , 1 transport: 1 attack cargo ship: 2 landing ship docks: , Transport Division 28 (Capt. H.C. Flanagan) 3 attack transports: , , 1 transport: 1 attack cargo ship: 1 landing ship dock: Screen (Capt. E.R. McLean) 9 destroyers 8 (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , , , , 1 (4 × 5-in. main battery):
Fire Support Unit South Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf in heavy cruiser Battleship Division 2 (Rear Adm. Theodore E. Chandler) 3 old battleships 2 (12 × 14-in. main battery): , 1 (12 × 14-in. main battery): Cruiser Division 4 (Rear Adm. Oldendorf) 3 heavy cruisers 1 (9 × 8-in. main battery): 1 (9 × 8-in. main battery): 1 (9 × 8-in. main battery): Cruiser Division 9 (Rear Adm. Walden L. Ainsworth) 1 light cruiser 1 (15 × 6-in. main battery): Cruiser Division 12 (Rear Adm. Robert W. Hayler) 2 light cruisers Both (12 × 6-in. main battery): , Screen (Capt. Roland N. Smoot) 13 destroyers 11 (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , , , , , , , 2 (4 × 5-in. main battery): ,
Service and Support Units
Service Force Seventh Fleet (Task Group 77.7)
Rear Admiral R.O. Glover Fueling at Sea Unit (Capt. J.D. Beard) 7 oilers: , , , , , , 5 ammunition ships: , Durham Victory, Iran Victory, Bluefield Victory, Canada Victory Escort Unit (Cmdr. F.W. Howers) 3 s (3 × 3-in. main battery): , , Leyte Gulf Unit (Capt. E.P. Hylant) 6 tankers: , , , , , 1 water tanker: 4 net tenders: , , , 3 repair and salvage vessels: , , 1 floating dry dock: ARD-19 3 ammunition ships: , ,