Invasion of Leyte naval 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.
- For the Battle of Leyte Gulf, see Leyte Gulf order of battle
for the liberation of the Philippines
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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.
- Combat ships: 18 escort carriers, 6 old battleships, 5 heavy cruisers,[lower-alpha 1] 4 light cruisers, 34 destroyers,[lower-alpha 2] 17 destroyer escorts
- 280+ amphibious landing and support ships[lower-alpha 3]
- 110+ auxiliaries[lower-alpha 4]
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..
- 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
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Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in amphibious command ship Wasatch
Central Philippines Attack Force (Task Force 77)
Vice Admiral Kinkaid
- 1 light cruiser: Nashville
- 4 destroyers (all Fletcher-class): Ammen, Abner Read, Mullany, Bush
Close Covering Group (Task Group 77.3)
Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey
- 2 heavy cruisers:
HMAS Australia, HMAS Shropshire - 2 light cruisers: Phoenix, Boise
- 6 destroyers
Escort Carrier Group (Task Group 77.4)
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Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague
"Taffy 1"
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Rear Admiral Sprague
- 6 escort carriers
- Sangamon (Capts. M.E. Browder)
- Air Group 37 (Lt. Cmdr. S.E. Hindman)
- 17 F6F Hellcat fighters
- 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Suwannee (Capt. W.D. Johnson)
- Air Group 60 (Lt. Cmdr. H.O. Feilbach, USNR)
- 22 F6F Hellcat fighters
- 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Chenango (Capts. George van Deurs)
- Air Group 35 (Lt. Cmdr. F.T. Moore)
- 22 F6F Hellcat fighters
- 9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- 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
- Sangamon (Capts. M.E. Browder)
- Carrier Division 28 (Rear Admiral George R. Henderson)
- Saginaw Bay (Capts. F.C. Sutton)
- Composite Squadron 78 (Lt. Cmdr. J.L. Hyde, USNR)
- 15 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- 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
- Saginaw Bay (Capts. F.C. Sutton)
- Screen
- 3 destroyers (all Fletcher-class): McCord, Trathen, Hazelwood
- 5 destroyer escorts
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"Taffy 2"
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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
- Natoma Bay (Capt. Albert K. Morehouse)
- 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
- Kadashan Bay (Capt. R.N. Hunter)
- Composite Squadron 20 (Lt. Cmdr. J.R. Dale)
- 15 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Savo Island (Capt. Clarence E. Ekstrom)
- Composite Squadron 27 (Lt. Cmdr. P.W. Jackson)
- 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Ommaney Bay (Capt. H.L. Young)
- Composite Squadron 75 (Lt. Cmdr. A.W. Smith)
- 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Marcus Island (Capt. C.F. Greber)
- Screen (Capt. L.K. Reynolds)
- 3 destroyers (all Fletcher-class): Haggard, Franks, Hailey
- 5 destroyer escorts (all John C. Butler-class): Richard W. Suesens, Abercrombie, Oberrender, LeRay Wilson, Walter C. Wann
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"Taffy 3"
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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
- St. Lo (Capt. Francis J. McKenna)
- Composite Squadron 65 (Lt. Cmdr. R.M. Jones, USMR)
- 17 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- White Plains (Capt. D.J. Sullivan)
- Composite Squadron 4 (Lt. E.R. Fickenscher)
- 16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- 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
- Fanshaw Bay (Capt. D.P. Johnson)
- 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
- Gambier Bay (Capt. Walter V. R. Vieweg)
- Composite Squadron 10 (Lt. Cmdr. E.J. Huxtable)
- 18 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
- 12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
- Kitkun Bay (Capt. John P. Whitney)
- Screen (Cmdr. W.D. Thomas)
- 3 destroyers (all Fletcher-class): Hoel, Heermann, Johnston
- 4 destroyer escorts (all John C. Butler-class): Dennis, John C. Butler, Raymond, Samuel B. Roberts
Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group (Task Group 77.5)
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Commander W.R. Loud
- 1 frigate:
HMAS 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)
Lt. Commander C.C. Morgan, USNR
Embarking Underwater Demolition Teams 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10
Northern Attack Force (Task Force 78)
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Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey in amphibious command ship Blue Ridge
Embarking
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Palo Attack Group (Task Group 78.1)
Rear Admiral Barbey
Embarking
- 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): John Rodgers, Murray, Harrison, McKee
- 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
San Ricardo Attack Group (Task Group 78.2)
Rear Admiral W.M. Fechteler in attack transport Fremont
Embarking
- 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)
- 3 attack transports: Leonard Wood, Pierce, James O'Hara
- 1 transport: La Salle
- 1 attack cargo ship: Electra
- 1 landing ship dock: Oak Hill
- 9 landing ships medium
- Transport Division 32 (Capt. Carlson)
- Screen (Capt. A.E. Jarrell)
- 4 destroyers
- 1 fleet tug: Sonoma
- 8 landing craft infantry: 6 rocket, 2 gunboat
- 14 landing ships tank
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Fire Support Unit North
Rear Admiral George L. Weyler
- 3 old battleships: Mississippi (Capt. H.J. Redfield), Maryland (Capt. H.J. Ray), West Virginia (Capt. H.V. Wiley)
- 3 destroyers (all Fletcher-class): Cony, Aulick, Sigourney
Panaon Attack Group (Task Group 78.3)
Rear Admiral A.D. Struble in Hughes
Embarking 21st Regimental Combat Team / 24th Infantry Division
- 1 destroyer (Sims-class): Hughes
- 3 landing ships infantry:
HMAS Kanimbla, HMAS Manoora, HMAS Westralia - 1 minelayer:
HMS Ariadne - 4 destroyers (all Fletcher-class): Sigsbee, Ringgold, Schroeder, Dashiell
Dinagat Attack Group (Task Group 78.4)
Rear Admiral Struble in Hughes
Embarking 6th Ranger Battalion and Co. B / 21st Infantry
- 5 destroyer transports: Kilty, Schley, Ward, Herbert, Crosby
- 1 fleet tug: Chickasaw
- 2 destroyers (both Benham-class): Lang, Stack
- 2 frigates: Gallup, Bisbee
Reinforcement Group One (Task Group 78.6)
Captain S.P. Jenkins
Arriving 22 October
- 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 destroyers (both Sims-class): Mustin, Morris
- 2 destroyers (both Fletcher-class: Stevens, Howorth
- 2 frigates (both Tacoma-class): Carson City, Burlington
- 4 destroyers
Reinforcement Group Two (Task Group 78.7)
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Captain J.K.P. Ginder
Arriving 24 October
- 32 landing ships tank
- 24 merchant ships
- Escort (Capt. Ginder)
- 4 destroyers (all Fletcher-class): Nicholas, O'Bannon, Taylor, Hopewell
- 2 frigates (both Tacoma-class): Muskogee, San Pedro
Reinforcement Group Three (Task Group 78.9)
Commander J.L. Steinmetz, USCG
Arriving 29 October
- 62 landing ships tank
- 19 merchant ships
- Escort (Capt. W.M. Cole)
Southern Attack Force (Task Force 79)
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Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson in amphibious command ship Mount Olympus
Embarking
Attack Group "Able" (Task Group 79.1)
Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly in amphibious command ship Appalachian
Embarking
- Transport Group "Able" (Task Group 79.3)
- Capt. 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 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 x 5-in. main battery): Erben, Walker, Hale, Abbot, Black, Chauncey, Braine, Gansevoort
- Transport Division 7 (Capt. Richardson)
Attack Group "Baker" (Task Group 79.2)
Rear Admiral Forrest B. Royal in amphibious command ship Rocky Mount
Embarking
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- TG 79.4 Transport Group "Baker" (Task Group 79.4)
- Capt. H.B. Knowles
- Transport Division 10 (Capt. G.D. Morrison)
- 4 attack transports: Clay, Arthur Middleton, Baxter, William P. Biddle
- 1 transport: George F. Elliott
- 1 attack cargo ship: Capricornus
- 1 landing ship vehicle: Catskill
- Transport Division 18 (Capt. Knowles)
- 3 attack transports: Cambria, Monrovia, Frederick Funston
- 1 transport: War Hawk
- 1 attack cargo ship: Alcyone
- 2 landing ship docks: Casa Grande, Rushmore
- Transport Division 28 (Capt. H.C. Flanagan)
- 3 attack transports: Bolivar, Sheridan, Doyen
- 1 transport: Comet
- 1 attack cargo ship: Almaack
- 1 landing ship dock: Belle Grove
- Screen (Capt. E.R. McLean)
- 9 destroyers
- Transport Division 10 (Capt. G.D. Morrison)
Fire Support Unit South
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Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf in heavy cruiser Louisville
- Battleship Division 2 (Rear Adm. Theodore E. Chandler)
- 3 old battleships: Tennessee (Capt. J.B. Heffernan), California (Capt. H.P. Burnett), Pennsylvania (Capt. C.F. Martin)
- Cruiser Division 4 (Rear Adm. Oldendorf)
- 3 heavy cruisers: Louisville (Capt. S.H. Hurt), Portland (Capt. Thomas G. W. Settle), Minneapolis (Capt. H.B. Slocum)
- Cruiser Division 9 (Rear Adm. Walden L. Ainsworth)
- 1 light cruiser: Honolulu (Capt. H.R. Thurber)
- Cruiser Division 12 (Rear Adm. Robert W. Hayler)
- 2 light cruisers: Denver (Capt. A.M. Bledsoe), Columbia (Capt. Maurice E. Curts)
- Screen (Capt. Roland N. Smoot)
- 13 destroyers
- 11 Fletcher-class: Leutze, Newcomb, Bennion, Heywood L. Edwards, Richard P. Leary, Robinson, Ross, Albert W. Grant, Bryant, Halford, Claxton
- 2 Gleaves-class: Thorn, Welles
- 13 destroyers
Service Force Seventh Fleet (Task Group 77.7)
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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 destroyer escorts: Whitehurst, Witter, Bowers
- Leyte Gulf Unit (Capt. E.P. Hylant)
- 6 tankers: Arethusa, Caribou, Mink, Panda, Porcupine,
HMAS 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,
HMAS Merkur - 2 hospital ships: Mercy, Comfort
- 6 tankers: Arethusa, Caribou, Mink, Panda, Porcupine,
US Third Fleet
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Admiral William F. Halsey in fast battleship New Jersey
Fast Carrier Force (Task Force 38)
Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher in fleet carrier Lexington
Task Group 38.1
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Vice Admiral John S. McCain
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Monterey (Capt. Stuart H. Ingersoll)
- Cruiser Division 6 (Rear Admiral C. Turner Joy)
- 1 heavy cruiser: Wichita (Capt. D.A. Spencer)
- Cruiser Division 10 (Rear Admiral Lloyd J. Wiltse)
Task Group 38.2
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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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Cabot (Capt. S.J. Michael)
- Battleship Division 7 (Rear Admiral Oscar C. Badger II)
- 2 fast battleships: Iowa (Capt. A.R. McCann), New Jersey (Capt. Carl F. Holden)
- Cruiser Division 14 (Rear Admiral Francis E. M. Whiting)
- 2 light cruisers: Vincennes (Capt. A.D. Brown), Miami (Capt. J.G. Crawford)
- 2 anti-aircraft light cruisers:[lower-alpha 5] San Diego (Capt. W.A. Mullan), Oakland (Capt. K.S. Reed)
- Screen (Captain John P. Womble)
- 18 destroyers (all Fletcher-class): Owen, Miller, The Sullivans, Stephen Potter, Tingey, Hickox, Hunt, Lewis Hancock, Marshall, Halsey Powell, Cushing, Colahan, Uhlmann, Benham, Stockham, Wedderburn, Twining, Yarnall
Task Group 38.3
Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman
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- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Princeton (Capt. W.H. Buracker)
- 4 fast battleships (Vice Admiral Willis Augustus Lee)[lower-alpha 6]
- Washington (Capt. Thomas R. Cooley)
- Battleship Division 8 (Rear Adm. Glenn B. Davis)
- Massachusetts (Capt. W.W. Warlick)
- Battleship Division 9 (Rear Adm. Edward Hanson)
- Alabama (Capt. Vincent R. Murphy), South Dakota (Capt. Charles B. Momsen)
- Cruiser Division 13 (Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose)
- 3 light cruisers: Santa Fe (Capt. Jerauld Wright), Mobile (Capt. C.C. Miller), Birmingham (Capt. Thomas B. Inglis)
- 1 anti-aircraft light cruiser:[lower-alpha 7] Reno (Capt. R.C. Alexander)
- Screen (Capt. C.R. Todd)
- 14 destroyers (all Fletcher-class): Clarence K. Bronson, Cotten, Dortch, Gatling, Healy, Porterfield, Callaghan, Cassin Young, Irwin, Preston, Laws, Longshaw, Morrison, Prichett
Task Group 38.4
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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
- 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
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
- 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
- 1 heavy cruiser: New Orleans (Capt. J.E. Hurff)
- 1 light cruiser: Biloxi (Capt. P.R. Heineman)
Screen (Capt. V.D. Long)
- 11 destroyers
- 3 Gleaves-class: Wilkes, Nicholson, Swanson
- 3 Gridley-class: Gridley, McCall, Maury
- 5 Bagley-class: Bagley, Helm, Mugford, Patterson, Ralph Talbot
Notes
- Two Australian
- Two Australian
- Three Australian
- Four Australian, one British
- 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
- Stille, p. 7.
- Stille, p. 7.