User:Hungrydog55/sandbox/military/1944-10 Invasion of Leyte navaloobredo
- 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,[a] 4 light cruisers, 34 destroyers,[b] 17 destroyer escorts
- 280+ amphibious landing and support ships[c]
- 110+ auxiliaries[d]
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, 4 heavy cruisers, 7 light cruisers, 3 anti-aircraft light cruisers, 58 destroyers
US Seventh Fleet
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/HMAS_Warramunga_AllanGreen.jpg/240px-HMAS_Warramunga_AllanGreen.jpg)
Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in amphibious command ship Wasatch
Combat Units
[edit]Central Philippines Attack Force (Task Force 77)
[edit]Vice Admiral Kinkaid
Flag group
[edit]- 1 light cruiser
- 1 Brooklyn-class (15 × 6-in. main battery): Nashville
- 4 destroyers
- All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Ammen, Abner Read, Mullany, Bush
Close Covering Group (Task Group 77.3)
[edit]Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey
- 2 heavy cruisers
- Both County-class (8 × 8-in. main battery):
Australia,
Shropshire
- Both County-class (8 × 8-in. main battery):
- 2 light cruisers
- Both Brooklyn-class (15 × 6-in. main battery): Phoenix, Boise
- 6 destroyers
- 4 Fletcher class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Bache, Beale, Daly, Killen
- 2 Tribal-class (8 × 4.7-in. main battery):
Arunta,
Warramunga
Escort Carrier Group (Task Group 77.4)
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/USS_Suwannee_%28CVE-27%29_at_anchor_at_Kwajalein_atoll_on_7_February_1944_%28NH_106578%29.jpg/220px-USS_Suwannee_%28CVE-27%29_at_anchor_at_Kwajalein_atoll_on_7_February_1944_%28NH_106578%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/F4F-3_new_pitot_tube_of_later_model.jpg/220px-F4F-3_new_pitot_tube_of_later_model.jpg)
Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague
- "Taffy 1"
- Rear Admiral T.L. Sprague
- 6 escort carriers
- Sangamon (Capt. M.E. Browder)
- Air Group 37 (Lt. Cmdr. S.E. Hindman)
- 17 F6F Hellcat fighters
- 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 37 (Lt. Cmdr. S.E. Hindman)
- Suwannee (Capt. W.D. Johnson)
- Air Group 60 (Lt. Cmdr. H.O. Feilbach, USNR)
- 22 F6F Hellcat fighters
- 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 60 (Lt. Cmdr. H.O. Feilbach, USNR)
- Chenango (Capt. George van Deurs)
- Air Group 35 (Lt. Cmdr. F.T. Moore)
- 22 F6F Hellcat fighters
- 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 35 (Lt. Cmdr. F.T. Moore)
- Santee (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
- Air Group 26 (Lt. Cmdr. H.N. Funk)
- Carrier Division 28 (Rear Adm. George R. Henderson)
- Saginaw Bay (Capt. F.C. Sutton)
- Composite Squadron 78 (Lt. Cmdr. J.L. Hyde, USNR)
- 15 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Composite Squadron 78 (Lt. Cmdr. J.L. Hyde, USNR)
- Petrof Bay (Capt. J.L. Kane)
- Composite Squadron 76 (Lt. Cmdr. J.W. McCauley, USNR)
- 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 10 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Composite Squadron 76 (Lt. Cmdr. J.W. McCauley, USNR)
- Saginaw Bay (Capt. F.C. Sutton)
- Screen
- 3 destroyers
- All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): McCord, Trathen, Hazelwood
- 5 destroyer escorts
- 4 John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Edmonds, Richard M. Rowell, Richard S. Bull, Eversole
- 1 Buckley-class (3 × 3-in. main battery): Coolbaugh
- 3 destroyers
- Sangamon (Capt. M.E. Browder)
- 6 escort carriers
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/CVE-78_Savo_Island.jpg/220px-CVE-78_Savo_Island.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/USS_McCoy_Reynolds_%28DE-440%29_at_New_York_City_%28USA%29%2C_on_3_July_1944_%28BS_71704%29.jpg/220px-USS_McCoy_Reynolds_%28DE-440%29_at_New_York_City_%28USA%29%2C_on_3_July_1944_%28BS_71704%29.jpg)
- "Taffy 2"
- Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump
- 6 escort carriers
- Natoma Bay (Capt. Albert K. Morehouse)
- Composite Squadron 81 (Lt. Cmdr. R.C. Barnes)
- 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Manila Bay (Capt. Fitzhugh Lee, III)
- Composite Squadron 80 (Lt. Cmdr. H.K. Stubbs, USNR)
- 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Composite Squadron 80 (Lt. Cmdr. H.K. Stubbs, USNR)
- Carrier Division 27 (Rear Adm. William D. Sample)
- Marcus Island (Capt. C.F. Greber)
- Composite Squadron 21 (Lt. Cmdr T.O. Murray)
- 12 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Composite Squadron 21 (Lt. Cmdr T.O. Murray)
- Kadashan Bay (Capt. R.N. Hunter)
- Composite Squadron 20 (Lt. Cmdr. J.R. Dale)
- 15 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Composite Squadron 20 (Lt. Cmdr. J.R. Dale)
- Savo Island (Capt. Clarence E. Ekstrom)
- Composite Squadron 27 (Lt. Cmdr. P.W. Jackson)
- 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Composite Squadron 27 (Lt. Cmdr. P.W. Jackson)
- Ommaney Bay (Capt. H.L. Young)
- Composite Squadron 75 (Lt. Cmdr. A.W. Smith)
- 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Composite Squadron 75 (Lt. Cmdr. A.W. Smith)
- Marcus Island (Capt. C.F. Greber)
- Natoma Bay (Capt. Albert K. Morehouse)
- Screen (Capt. L.K. Reynolds)
- 3 destroyers
- All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Haggard, Franks, Hailey
- 5 destroyer escorts
- All John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Richard W. Suesens, Abercrombie, Oberrender, LeRay Wilson, Walter C. Wann
- 3 destroyers
- 6 escort carriers
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/USS_White_Plains_%28CVE-66%29_in_San_Diego_harbor%2C_California_%28USA%29%2C_circa_in_April_1944_%2880-G-302258%29.jpg/220px-USS_White_Plains_%28CVE-66%29_in_San_Diego_harbor%2C_California_%28USA%29%2C_circa_in_April_1944_%2880-G-302258%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/TBF_dropping_torpedo_NAN2-2-44.jpg/220px-TBF_dropping_torpedo_NAN2-2-44.jpg)
- "Taffy 3"
- Rear Admiral Clifton A.F. Sprague
- 6 escort carriers
- Fanshaw Bay (Capt. D.P. Johnson)
- Composite Squadron 68 (Lt. Cmdr. R.S. Rogers)
- 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Composite Squadron 68 (Lt. Cmdr. R.S. Rogers)
- St. Lo (sunk 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
- Composite Squadron 65 (Lt. Cmdr. R.M. Jones, USMR)
- White Plains (Capt. D.J. Sullivan)
- Composite Squadron 4 (Lt. E.R. Fickenscher)
- 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Composite Squadron 4 (Lt. E.R. Fickenscher)
- Kalinin Bay (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
- Composite Squadron 3 (Lt. Cmdr. W.H. Keighley)
- Carrier Division 26 (Rear Adm. Ralph A. Ofstie)
- Kitkun Bay (Capt. John P. Whitney)
- Composite Squadron 5 (Cmdr. R.L. Fowler)
- 14 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Composite Squadron 5 (Cmdr. R.L. Fowler)
- Gambier Bay (sunk 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
- Composite Squadron 10 (Lt. Cmdr. E.J. Huxtable)
- Kitkun Bay (Capt. John P. Whitney)
- Fanshaw Bay (Capt. D.P. Johnson)
- Screen (Cmdr. W.D. Thomas)
- 3 destroyers
- All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Hoel (sunk at the Battle off Samar, 25 Oct}), Heermann, Johnston (sunk at the Battle off Samar, 25 Oct)
- 4 destroyer escorts
- All John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Dennis, John C. Butler, Raymond, Samuel B. Roberts (sunk at the Battle off Samar, 25 Oct)
- 3 destroyers
- 6 escort carriers
Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group (Task Group 77.5)
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/USS_Pursuit_%28AM_108%29.jpg/210px-USS_Pursuit_%28AM_108%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/StateLibQld_1_79147_Royal_Australian_Naval_ship_ML_1322_at_Colmslie_Naval_Base%2C_Brisbane%2C_ca._1944.jpg/210px-StateLibQld_1_79147_Royal_Australian_Naval_ship_ML_1322_at_Colmslie_Naval_Base%2C_Brisbane%2C_ca._1944.jpg)
Commander W.R. Loud
- 1 frigate:
Gascoyne
- 1 destroyer transport: Sands
- 7 fast minesweepers: Hovey, Southard, Chandler, Long, Hamilton, Howard, Palmer
- 12 minesweepers
- 2 minelayers: Preble, Breese
- 26 auxiliary motor minesweepers
- 1 harbour defence motor launch:
1074
Beach Demolition Group (Task Group 77.6)
[edit]Lt. Commander C.C. Morgan, USNR
- 11 fast transports
- Embarking Underwater Demolition Teams 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10[e]
- 8 ex-Clemson-class destroyers: Clemson, Goldsborough, Kane, Brooks, Belknap, Overton, Humphreys, George E. Badger
- 2 ex-Wickes-class destroyers: Rathburne, Talbot
- 1 ex-Caldwell-class destroyer: Manley
- Embarking Underwater Demolition Teams 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10[e]
Amphibious Assault Units
[edit]Northern Attack Force (Task Force 78)
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/USS_Gunston_Hall%3B10120515.jpg/220px-USS_Gunston_Hall%3B10120515.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/World_War_2_USCG_PC.jpg/220px-World_War_2_USCG_PC.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/USS_James_O%27Hara_%28APA-90%29_underway_in_the_Atlantic_Ocean_on_8_June_1943.jpg/220px-USS_James_O%27Hara_%28APA-90%29_underway_in_the_Atlantic_Ocean_on_8_June_1943.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/USS_LST-568.jpg/220px-USS_LST-568.jpg)
Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey in amphibious command ship Blue Ridge
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: DuPage, Fuller, Elmore, Wayne
- 1 transport: John Land
- 1 attack cargo ship: Aquarius
- 1 landing ship dock: Gunston Hall
- Transport Division 6 (Capt. H.D. Baker)
- 3 attack transports: Fayette, Ormsby, Leedstown
- 1 attack cargo ship: Titania
- 1 cargo ship: Hercules
- 2 landing ship docks: Epping Forest, Carter Hall
- Transport Division 24 (Capt. Brittain)
- Screen (Capt. Henry Crommelin)
- 4 destroyers
- All Fletcher class (5 × 5-in. main battery): John Rodgers, Murray, Harrison, McKee
- 4 destroyers
- 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: Apache, Quapaw
- Transport Unit (Capt. T.B. Brittain)
- San Ricardo Attack Group (Task Group 78.2): Right beaches
- Rear Admiral W.M. Fechteler in attack transport Fremont
- Embarking
1st Cavalry Division Maj. Gen. Verne D. Mudge
- Transport Unit (Capt. M.O. Carlson)
- Transport Division 32 (Capt. Carlson)
- 4 attack transports: Harris, Barnstable
- 1 transport: Herald of the Morning
- 1 attack cargo ship: Arneb
- 1 landing ship dock: White Marsh
- Transport Division 20 (Capt. D.W. Loomis)
- Transport Division 32 (Capt. Carlson)
- Screen (Capt. A.E. Jarrell)
- 4 destroyers
- 3 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Fletcher, Jenkins, La Vallette
- 1 Sims-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Anderson
- 1 fleet tug: Sonoma
- 8 landing craft infantry: 6 rocket, 2 gunboat
- 14 landing ships tank
- 4 destroyers
- Transport Unit (Capt. M.O. Carlson)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Aft_view_of_USS_Mississippi_%28BB-41%29_in_late_1942.jpg/230px-Aft_view_of_USS_Mississippi_%28BB-41%29_in_late_1942.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/HMS_Ariadne_minelayer.jpg/220px-HMS_Ariadne_minelayer.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/USS_Stack_%28DD-406%29_off_the_Mare_Island_Naval_Shipyard%2C_California_%28USA%29%2C_27_May_1944_%2819-N-67025%29.jpg/220px-USS_Stack_%28DD-406%29_off_the_Mare_Island_Naval_Shipyard%2C_California_%28USA%29%2C_27_May_1944_%2819-N-67025%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/USS_Fletcher_%28DD-445%29_off_New_York%2C_1942.jpg/220px-USS_Fletcher_%28DD-445%29_off_New_York%2C_1942.jpg)
- Fire Support Unit North (Rear Adm. George L. Weyler)
- 3 old battleships
- 1 Colorado-class (8 × 16-in. main battery): Maryland, West Virginia
- 2 New Mexico-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): Mississippi
- 3 destroyers
- All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Cony, Aulick, Sigourney
- 3 old battleships
- Fire Support Unit North (Rear Adm. George L. Weyler)
- Panaon Attack Group (Task Group 78.3)
- Rear Admiral A.D. Struble in Hughes
- Embarking 21st Regimental Combat Team / 24th Infantry Division
- 3 landing ships infantry:
Kanimbla,
Manoora,
Westralia
- 4 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery): Sigsbee, Ringgold, Schroeder, Dashiell
- 1 Sims-class destroyer (4 × 5-in. main battery): Hughes
- 1 minelayer:
Ariadne
- 3 landing ships infantry:
- Dinagat Attack Group (Task Group 78.4)
- Rear Admiral Struble in Hughes
- Embarking 6th Ranger Battalion and Co. B / 21st Infantry
- 5 fast transports: (all ex-Wickes-class destroyers): Kilty, Schley, Ward, Herbert, Crosby
- 2 Benham-class destroyers (4 × 5-in. main battery): Lang, Stack
- 2 Tacoma-class frigates (3 × 3-in. main battery): Gallup, Bisbee
- 1 fleet tug: Chickasaw
- Reinforcement Group One (Task Group 78.6)
- Captain S.P. Jenkins
- Arriving 22 October
- Amphibious assault vessels
- 6 attack transports: Crescent City, Warren, Windsor, Callaway, Leon, Sumter
- 1 transport: Storm King
- 1 cargo ship: Jupiter
- 1 repair ship: Achilles
- 4 merchant ships
- 32 landing ships tank
- 12 landing craft infantry
- Escort (Capt. E.A. Solomons)
- 4 destroyers
- 2 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Stevens, Howorth
- 2 Sims-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Mustin, Morris
- 2 frigates
- Both Tacoma-class (3 × 3-in. main battery): Carson City, Burlington
- 4 destroyers
- Amphibious assault vessels
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/USS_Drayton_%28DD-366%29_underway_at_slow_speed_on_5_August_1936.jpg/220px-USS_Drayton_%28DD-366%29_underway_at_slow_speed_on_5_August_1936.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/USS_Peoria_%28PF-67%29_off_Charleston%2C_South_Carolina_%28USA%29%2C_circa_in_June_1945_%2819-N-84718%29.jpg/220px-USS_Peoria_%28PF-67%29_off_Charleston%2C_South_Carolina_%28USA%29%2C_circa_in_June_1945_%2819-N-84718%29.jpg)
- Reinforcement Group Two (Task Group 78.7)
- Captain J.K.P. Ginder
- Arriving 24 October
- Amphibious assault vessels
- 32 landing ships tank
- 24 merchant ships
- Escort (Capt. Ginder)
- 4 destroyers
- All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Nicholas, O'Bannon, Taylor, Hopewell
- 2 frigates
- Both Tacoma-class (3 × 3-in. main battery): Muskogee, San Pedro
- 4 destroyers
- Amphibious assault vessels
- 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)
- Amphibious assault vessels
Southern Attack Force (Task Force 79)
[edit]Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson in amphibious command ship Mount Olympus
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 Appalachian
- 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: Cavalier, J. Franklin Bell, Feland
- 1 transport: Golden City
- 1 attack cargo ship: Thuban
- 1 landing ship dock: Lindenwald
- Transport Division 30 (Capt. C.A. Mission)
- 3 attack transports: Knox, Calvert, Custer
- 1 evacuation transport: Rixey
- 1 attack cargo ship: Chara
- 1 landing ship dock: Ashland
- Transport Division 38 (Capt. Charles Allen)
- Transport Division "X-Ray" (Capt. J.A. Snackenberg)
- 2 attack transports: George Clymer, President Hayes
- 1 cargo ship: Mercury
- Screen (Capt. W.J. Marshall)
- 8 destroyers
- All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Erben, Walker, Hale, Abbot, Black, Chauncey, Braine, Gansevoort
- 8 destroyers
- Transport Division 7 (Capt. Richardson)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Forrest_Royal%2C_January_1945.jpg/260px-Forrest_Royal%2C_January_1945.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/USS_Capricornus_%28AKA-57%29_underway_at_low_speed_c1945.jpg/260px-USS_Capricornus_%28AKA-57%29_underway_at_low_speed_c1945.jpg)
- Attack Group "Baker" (Task Group 79.2): Right beaches
- Rear Admiral Forrest B. Royal[f]
- 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)
- Transport Division 18 (Capt. Knowles)
- Transport Division 28 (Capt. H.C. Flanagan)
- Screen (Capt. E.R. McLean)
- 9 destroyers
- 8 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Picking, Sproston, Wickes, Isherwood, Charles J. Badger, Halligan, Haraden, Twiggs
- 1 Farragut-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): MacDonough
- 9 destroyers
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Jesse_Oldendorf.jpg/180px-Jesse_Oldendorf.jpg)
- Fire Support Unit South
- Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf in heavy cruiser Louisville
- Battleship Division 2 (Rear Adm. Theodore E. Chandler)
- 3 old battleships
- 2 Tennessee-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): Tennessee, California
- 1 Pennsylvania-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): Pennsylvania
- 3 old battleships
- Cruiser Division 4 (Rear Adm. Oldendorf)
- 3 heavy cruisers
- 1 New Orleans-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Minneapolis
- 1 Portland-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Portland
- 1 Northampton-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Louisville
- 3 heavy cruisers
- Cruiser Division 9 (Rear Adm. Walden L. Ainsworth)
- 1 light cruiser
- 1 Brooklyn-class (15 × 6-in. main battery): Honolulu
- 1 light cruiser
- Cruiser Division 12 (Rear Adm. Robert W. Hayler)
- 2 light cruisers
- Both Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Denver, Columbia
- 2 light cruisers
- Screen (Capt. Roland N. Smoot)
- 13 destroyers
- 11 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Leutze, Newcomb, Bennion, Heywood L. Edwards, Richard P. Leary, Robinson, Ross, Albert W. Grant, Bryant, Halford, Claxton
- 2 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Thorn, Welles
- 13 destroyers
- Battleship Division 2 (Rear Adm. Theodore E. Chandler)
Service and Support Units
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/USS_Crux_%28AK-115%29.jpg/200px-USS_Crux_%28AK-115%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/USS_Mercy_%28AH-8%29_underway_in_San_Pedro_Bay%2C_California_%28USA%29%2C_15_August_1944_%28NH_103222%29.jpg/200px-USS_Mercy_%28AH-8%29_underway_in_San_Pedro_Bay%2C_California_%28USA%29%2C_15_August_1944_%28NH_103222%29.jpg)
Service Force Seventh Fleet (Task Group 77.7)
[edit]Rear Admiral R.O. Glover
- Fueling at Sea Unit (Capt. J.D. Beard)
- 7 oilers: Saranac, Ashtabula, Salamonie, Suamico, Kishwaukee, Schuylkill, Tallulah
- 5 ammunition ships: Mazama, Durham Victory, Iran Victory, Bluefield Victory, Canada Victory
- Escort Unit (Cmdr. F.W. Howers)
- 3 Buckley-class destroyer escorts (3 × 3-in. main battery): Whitehurst, Witter, Bowers
- Leyte Gulf Unit (Capt. E.P. Hylant)
- 6 tankers: Arethusa, Caribou, Mink, Panda, Porcupine,
Bishopdale
- 1 water tanker: Severn
- 4 net tenders: Indus, Teak, Silverbell, Satinleaf
- 3 repair and salvage vessels: Achilles, Cable, Midas
- 1 floating dry dock: ARD-19
- 4 ammunition ships: Murzim, Poyang, Ranvr, Yunnan
- 9 provision ships: Arequipa, Calamaries, Mizar, Octane, Crux, Ganymede, Triangulum, Pollux, Acubens,
Merkur
- 2 hospital ships: Mercy, Comfort
- 6 tankers: Arethusa, Caribou, Mink, Panda, Porcupine,
US Third Fleet
[edit]Admiral William F. Halsey in fast battleship New Jersey
Fast Carrier Force (Task Force 38)
[edit]Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher in fleet carrier Lexington
Task Group 38.1
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Vice-Admiral_John_S_McCain.jpg/160px-Vice-Admiral_John_S_McCain.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/USS_Cowpens_%28CVL-25%29_at_sea_on_31_August_1944.jpg/220px-USS_Cowpens_%28CVL-25%29_at_sea_on_31_August_1944.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/USS_Houston_%28CL-81%29_underway_off_Norfolk_on_12_January_1944_%2880-G-214200%29.jpg/220px-USS_Houston_%28CL-81%29_underway_off_Norfolk_on_12_January_1944_%2880-G-214200%29.jpg)
Vice Admiral John S. McCain Sr.[g]
- 2 fleet carriers
- Hornet (Capt. Austin K. Doyle)
- Air Group 11 (Cmdr. F.R. Schrader)
- VF-11: 33 F6F Hellcat fighters, 4 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters
- VB-11: 25 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
- VT-11: 1 TBF Avenger, 17 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 11 (Cmdr. F.R. Schrader)
- Wasp (Capt. O.A. Weller)
- Air Group 14 (Cmdr. W.C. Wingard)
- VF-14: 38 F6F Hellcat fighters, 4 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters
- VB-14: 10 F6F Hellcat fighters, 25 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
- VT-14: 6 TBF Avenger, 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 14 (Cmdr. W.C. Wingard)
- Hornet (Capt. Austin K. Doyle)
- 2 light carriers
- Monterey (Capt. Stuart H. Ingersoll)
- Air Group 28 (Lt. Cmdr. R.W. Mehle)
- VF-28: 23 F6F Hellcat fighters
- VT-28: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 28 (Lt. Cmdr. R.W. Mehle)
- Cowpens (Capt. H.W. Taylor)
- Air Group 22 (Lt. Cmdr. T.H. Jenkins)
- VF-22: 26 F6F Hellcat fighters
- VT-22: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 22 (Lt. Cmdr. T.H. Jenkins)
- Monterey (Capt. Stuart H. Ingersoll)
- Cruiser Division 6 (Rear Adm. C. Turner Joy)
- 1 heavy cruiser (9 × 8-in. main battery)
- Cruiser Division 10 (Rear Adm. Lloyd J. Wiltse)
- 2 heavy cruisers
- Both Baltimore-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Boston, Canberra
- 1 light cruiser
- 1 Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Houston
- 2 heavy cruisers
- Screen (Capt. C.F. Espe)
Task Group 38.2
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Vice_Admiral_Gerald_F._Bogan_aboard_USS_Valley_Forge_%28CV-45%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/USS_Intrepid_%28CV-11%29_underway_off_Newport_News_on_16_August_1943_%28NH_53254%29.jpg/225px-USS_Intrepid_%28CV-11%29_underway_off_Newport_News_on_16_August_1943_%28NH_53254%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/USS_Bunker_Hill_%28CV-17%29_at_sea_in_1945_%28NH_42373%29.jpg/225px-USS_Bunker_Hill_%28CV-17%29_at_sea_in_1945_%28NH_42373%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/USS_Iowa_%28BB-61%29.jpg/225px-USS_Iowa_%28BB-61%29.jpg)
Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan
- 3 fleet carriers
- Intrepid (Capt. J.F. Bolger)
- Air Group 18 (Cmdr. W.E. Ellis)
- VF-18: 38 F6F Hellcat fighters, 5 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters
- VB-18: 28 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
- VT-18: 18 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 18 (Cmdr. W.E. Ellis)
- Hancock (Capt. F.C. Dickey)
- Air Group 7 (Cmdr. J.D. Lamade)
- VF-7: 37 F6F Hellcat fighters, 4 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters
- VB-7: 42 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
- VT-7: 18 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 7 (Cmdr. J.D. Lamade)
- Bunker Hill (Capt. M.R. Greer)
- Air Group 8 (Cmdr. R.L. Shifley)
- VF-8: 40 F6F Hellcat fighters, 8 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters
- VB-8: 17 SB2C Helldiver, 3 SBF Helldiver, 4 SBW Helldiver dive bombers
- VT-8: 19 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 8 (Cmdr. R.L. Shifley)
- Intrepid (Capt. J.F. Bolger)
- 2 light carriers
- Cabot (Capt. S.J. Michael)
- Air Group 29 (Lt. Cmdr. W.E. Eder)
- VF-29: 21 F6F Hellcat fighters
- VT-29: 1 TBF Avenger, 8 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 29 (Lt. Cmdr. W.E. Eder)
- Independence (Capt. E.C. Ewen)
- Night Air Group 41 (Cmdr. T.F. Caldwell)
- VFN-41: 5 F6F Hellcat fighters, 14 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters
- VTN-41: 8 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Night Air Group 41 (Cmdr. T.F. Caldwell)
- Cabot (Capt. S.J. Michael)
- Battleship Division 7 (Rear Adm. Oscar C. Badger II)
- 2 fast battleships
- Both Iowa-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): Iowa, New Jersey
- 2 fast battleships
- Cruiser Division 14 (Rear Adm. Francis E. M. Whiting)
- 2 light cruisers
- Both Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Vincennes, Miami
- 2 anti-aircraft light cruisers:[h]
- Both Atlanta-class: San Diego, Oakland
- 2 light cruisers
- Screen (Capt. John P. Womble)
- 18 destroyers
- All Fletcher class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Owen, Miller, The Sullivans, Stephen Potter, Tingey, Hickox, Hunt, Lewis Hancock, Marshall, Halsey Powell, Cushing, Colahan, Uhlmann, Benham, Stockham, Wedderburn, Twining, Yarnall
- 18 destroyers
Task Group 38.3
[edit]Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/VAdm_Frederick_C._Sherman.jpg/170px-VAdm_Frederick_C._Sherman.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/USS_Massachusetts_%28BB-59%29_-_80-G-303478.jpg/240px-USS_Massachusetts_%28BB-59%29_-_80-G-303478.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/USS_Reno_%28CL-96%29_underway_off_California_on_25_January_1944_%2880-G-215947%29.jpg/240px-USS_Reno_%28CL-96%29_underway_off_California_on_25_January_1944_%2880-G-215947%29.jpg)
- 2 fleet carriers
- Essex (Capt. C.W. Wheeler)
- Air Group 15 (Cmdr. H.T. Utter)
- VF-15: 46 F6F Hellcat fighters, 4 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters
- VB-15: 25 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
- VT-15: 15 TBF Avenger, 5 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 15 (Cmdr. H.T. Utter)
- Lexington (Capt. E.W. Litch)
- Air Group 19 (Cmdr. T.H. Winters)
- VF-19: 37 F6F Hellcat fighters, 4 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters
- VB-19: 30 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
- VT-19: 18 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 19 (Cmdr. T.H. Winters)
- Essex (Capt. C.W. Wheeler)
- 2 light carriers
- Princeton (Capt. W.H. Buracker)
- Air Group 27 (Lt. Cmdr. F.A. Bardshar)
- VF-27: 21 F6F Hellcat fighters
- VT-27: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 27 (Lt. Cmdr. F.A. Bardshar)
- Langley (Capt. J.F. Wegforth)
- Air Group 44 (Cmdr. M.T. Wordell)
- VF-44: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters
- VT-44: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 44 (Cmdr. M.T. Wordell)
- Princeton (Capt. W.H. Buracker)
- 4 fast battleships (Vice Adm. Willis Augustus Lee)[i]
- 1 North Carolina-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): Washington
- Battleship Division 8 (Rear Adm. Glenn B. Davis)
- 1 South Dakota-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): Massachusetts
- Battleship Division 9 (Rear Adm. Edward Hanson)
- 2 South Dakota-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): Alabama, South Dakota
- Cruiser Division 13 (Rear Adm. Laurance T. DuBose)
- 3 light cruisers
- All Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Santa Fe, Mobile, Birmingham
- 1 anti-aircraft light cruiser
- 1 Atlanta-class (12 × 5-in. main battery):[j] Reno
- 3 light cruisers
- Screen (Capt. C.R. Todd)
- 14 destroyers
- All Fletcher class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Clarence K. Bronson, Cotten, Dortch, Gatling, Healy, Porterfield, Callaghan, Cassin Young, Irwin, Preston, Laws, Longshaw, Morrison, Prichett
- 14 destroyers
Task Group 38.4
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Ralph_E._Davison.jpg/150px-Ralph_E._Davison.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/USS_Enterprise_%28CV-6%29_in_Puget_Sound%2C_September_1945.jpg/240px-USS_Enterprise_%28CV-6%29_in_Puget_Sound%2C_September_1945.jpg)
Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison
- 2 fleet carriers
- Franklin (Capt. J.M. Shoemaker)
- Air Group 13 (Cmdr. R.L. Kibbe)
- VF-13: 34 F6F Hellcat fighters, 4 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters
- VB-13: 31 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
- VT-13: 18 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 13 (Cmdr. R.L. Kibbe)
- Enterprise (Capt. Cato D. Glover)
- Air Group 20 (Cmdr. D.F. Smith)
- VF-20: 35 F6F Hellcat fighters, 4 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters
- VB-20: 34 SB2C Helldiver dive bombers
- VT-20: 19 TBF Avenger, 5 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 20 (Cmdr. D.F. Smith)
- Franklin (Capt. J.M. Shoemaker)
- 2 light carriers
- San Jacinto (Capt. M.H. Kernodle)
- Air Group 51 (Cmdr. C.L. Moore)
- VF-51: 19 F6F Hellcat fighters
- VT-51: 7 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 51 (Cmdr. C.L. Moore)
- Belleau Wood (Capts. John Perry)
- Air Group 21 (Lt. Cmdr. V.F. Casey)
- VF-21: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters
- VT-21: 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Air Group 21 (Lt. Cmdr. V.F. Casey)
- San Jacinto (Capt. M.H. Kernodle)
- 1 heavy cruiser
- 1 New Orleans-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): New Orleans
- 1 light cruiser
- 1 Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Biloxi
- Screen (Capt. V.D. Long)
- 11 destroyers
- 3 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Wilkes, Nicholson, Swanson
- 3 Gridley-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Gridley, McCall, Maury
- 5 Bagley-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Bagley, Helm, Mugford, Patterson, Ralph Talbot
- 11 destroyers
Notes
[edit]- ^ Two Australian
- ^ Two Australian
- ^ Three Australian
- ^ Four Australian, one British
- ^ William Hopper, later an actor known for his role on the long-running TV series Perry Mason, served in this unit.
- ^ Died of a heart attack on board his flagship Rocky Mount off Borneo, June 1945.
- ^ Grandfather of Vietnam War veteran and officeholder John McCain
- ^ These cruisers were intended as destroyer leaders when designed. After the first two to be used in this role, Atlanta and Juneau, were lost at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, this mission was abandoneded and the anti-aircraft mission adopted.[1]
- ^ Commander Battleships, Pacific Fleet
- ^ These cruisers were intended as destroyer leaders when designed. After the first two to be used in this role, Atlanta and Juneau, were lost at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, this mission was abandoneded and the anti-aircraft mission adopted.[2]
References
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Morison, Samuel Eliot (1958). Leyte, June 1944 - January 1945. History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. XII. Boston: Little, Brown and Co. ISBN 0-7858-1313-6.
- Stille, Mark (2016). US Navy Light Cruisers, 1941-45. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-1-4728-1140-0.
Leyte Category:Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II Leyte Category:Battle of Leyte Gulf Leyte Leyte Category:October 1944 events Leyte Category:United States Navy in World War II