 "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
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
US Seventh Fleet.
Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in amphibious command ship "Wasatch"
Combat Units.
Central Philippines Attack Force (Task Force 77).
Vice Admiral Kinkaid
 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).
Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey
 2 heavy cruisers
 Both "County"-class (8 × 8-in. main battery): Australia, Shropshire
 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).
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
 Suwannee (Capt. W.D. Johnson)
 Air Group 60 (Lt. Cmdr. H.O. Feilbach, USNR)
 22 F6F Hellcat fighters
   9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
 Chenango (Capt. 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
 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
 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
 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
 "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
 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 
 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
 "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
 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
 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
 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 (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
 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)
Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group (Task Group 77.5).
Commander W.R. Loud
 1 frigate: Gascoyne
 1 destroyer transport: Sands
 7 fast minesweepers: Hovey, Southard, Chandler, Long, Hamilton, Howard, Palmer
 12 minesweepers 
 7 "Auk"-class: Token, Tumult, Velocity, Requisite, Pursuit, Revenge, Sage
 5 "Admirable"-class: Salute, Saunter, Scout, Scrimmage, Sentry
 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
 11 fast transports
 Embarking Underwater Demolition Teams 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10
 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
Amphibious Assault Units.
Northern Attack Force (Task Force 78).
Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey in amphibious command ship "Blue Ridge" ;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: 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
 Screen (Capt. Henry Crommelin)
 4 destroyers
 All "Fletcher" class (5 × 5-in. main battery): 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): Right beaches
 Rear Admiral W.M. Fechteler in attack transport "Fremont"
 Embarking 1st Cavalry Division under 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)
 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
 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
 Fire Support Unit North (Rear Adm. George L. Weyler)
 3 old battleships
 2 "Colorado"-class (8 × 16-in. main battery): Maryland, West Virginia
 1 "New Mexico"-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): Mississippi
 3 destroyers
 All "Fletcher"-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): 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
 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
 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
 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 "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
 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 "Mahan"-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Mahan, Drayton, Lamson, Flusser, Smith
 4 frigates
 All "Tacoma"-class (3 × 3-in. main battery): Eugene, El Paso, Van Buren, Orange
Southern Attack Force (Task Force 79).
Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson in amphibious command ship "Mount Olympus" ;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 "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)
 3 attack transports: Lamar, Alpine, Heywood
 2 transports: Starlight, Monitor
 1 attack cargo ships: Alshain
 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
 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: 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
 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
 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
 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
 Cruiser Division 9 (Rear Adm. Walden L. Ainsworth)
 1 light cruiser
 1 "Brooklyn"-class (15 × 6-in. main battery): Honolulu
 Cruiser Division 12 (Rear Adm. Robert