Invasion of Leyte naval order of battle

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..<br> 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

:::: &nbsp;&nbsp;9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:: (Capt. W.D. Johnson)

::: Air Group 60 (Lt. Cmdr. H.O. Feilbach, USNR)

:::: 22 F6F Hellcat fighters

:::: &nbsp;&nbsp;9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:: (Capt. George van Deurs)

::: Air Group 35 (Lt. Cmdr. F.T. Moore)

:::: 22 F6F Hellcat fighters

:::: &nbsp;&nbsp;9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

:: (Capt. Robert E. Blick)

::: Air Group 26 (Lt. Cmdr. H.N. Funk)

:::: 24 FM-2 Wildcat fighters

:::: &nbsp;&nbsp;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

:::: &nbsp;&nbsp;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 <br> 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 <br> 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<br>

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: , ,

: 9 provision ships: , Calamaries, , Octane, , , , , ,

: 2 hospital ships: ,

US Third Fleet

Admiral William F. Halsey in fast battleship

Fast Carrier Force (Task Force 38)

Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher in fleet carrier

Task Group 38.1

Vice Admiral John S. McCain Sr.

2 fleet carriers

: (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: &nbsp;&nbsp;1 TBF Avenger, 17 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

: (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: &nbsp;&nbsp;6 TBF Avenger, 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

2 light carriers

: (Capt. Stuart H. Ingersoll)

:: Air Group 28 (Lt. Cmdr. R.W. Mehle)

::: VF-28: 23 F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-28: &nbsp;&nbsp;9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

: (Capt. H.W. Taylor)

:: Air Group 22 (Lt. Cmdr. T.H. Jenkins)

::: VF-22: 26 F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-22: &nbsp;&nbsp;9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

Cruiser Division 6 (Rear Adm. C. Turner Joy)

: 1 heavy cruiser (9 × 8-in. main battery)

::

Cruiser Division 10 (Rear Adm. Lloyd J. Wiltse)

: 1 heavy cruiser

:: (9 × 8-in. main battery):

: 1 light cruiser

:: (12 × 6-in. main battery):

Screen (Capt. C.F. Espe)

: 15 destroyers

:: 12 (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , , , , , , , , ,

:: 1 (4 × 5-in. main battery):

:: 2 (4 × 5-in. main battery): ,

Task Group 38.2

Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan

3 fleet carriers

: (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

: (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

: (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

2 light carriers

: (Capt. S.J. Michael)

:: Air Group 29 (Lt. Cmdr. W.E. Eder)

::: VF-29: 21 F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-29: &nbsp;&nbsp;1 TBF Avenger, 8 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

: (Capt. E.C. Ewen)

:: Night Air Group 41 (Cmdr. T.F. Caldwell)

::: VFN-41: &nbsp;5 F6F Hellcat fighters, 14 F6F-xN Hellcat night fighters

::: VTN-41: &nbsp;8 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

Battleship Division 7 (Rear Adm. Oscar C. Badger II)

: 2 fast battleships

:: Both (9 × 16-in. main battery): ,

Cruiser Division 14 (Rear Adm. Francis E. M. Whiting)

: 2 light cruisers

:: Both (12 × 6-in. main battery): ,

: 2 anti-aircraft light cruisers:

:: Both Atlanta-class: ,

Screen (Capt. John P. Womble)

: 18 destroyers

:: All (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Task Group 38.3

Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman

2 fleet carriers

: (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

: (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

2 light carriers

: (Capt. W.H. Buracker)

:: Air Group 27 (Lt. Cmdr. F.A. Bardshar)

::: VF-27: 21 F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-27: &nbsp;&nbsp;9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

: (Capt. J.F. Wegforth)

:: Air Group 44 (Cmdr. M.T. Wordell)

::: VF-44: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-44: &nbsp;&nbsp;9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

4 fast battleships (Vice Adm. Willis Augustus Lee)

:: 1 (9 × 16-in. main battery):

: Battleship Division 8 (Rear Adm. Glenn B. Davis)

:: 1 (9 × 16-in. main battery):

: Battleship Division 9 (Rear Adm. Edward Hanson)

:: 2 (9 × 16-in. main battery): ,

Cruiser Division 13 (Rear Adm. Laurance T. DuBose)

: 3 light cruisers

:: All (12 × 6-in. main battery): , ,

: 1 anti-aircraft light cruiser

:: 1 Atlanta-class (12 × 5-in. main battery):

Screen (Capt. C.R. Todd)

: 14 destroyers

:: All (5 × 5-in. main battery): , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Task Group 38.4

Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison

2 fleet carriers

: (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

: (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

2 light carriers

: (Capt. M.H. Kernodle)

:: Air Group 51 (Cmdr. C.L. Moore)

::: VF-51: 19 F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-51: &nbsp;&nbsp;7 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

: (Capt. John Perry)

:: Air Group 21 (Lt. Cmdr. V.F. Casey)

::: VF-21: 25 F6F Hellcat fighters

::: VT-21: &nbsp;&nbsp;9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers

1 heavy cruiser

: 1 (9 × 8-in. main battery):

1 light cruiser

: 1 (12 × 6-in. main battery):

Screen (Capt. V.D. Long)

: 11 destroyers

:: 3 (4 × 5-in. main battery): , ,

:: 3 (4 × 5-in. main battery): , ,

:: 5 (4 × 5-in. main battery): , , , ,

Notes

References

Bibliography