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Theatre and naval commanders for the
liberation of the Philippines
Gen. Douglas MacArthur
Vice Adm. Thomas C. Kinkaid
Path of Allied naval forces from Leyte Gulf assembly area to Lingayen Gulf landing beaches
Light cruiser Columbia struck by a kamikaze in Lingayen Gulf 6 Jan 1945

The January 1945 invasion of Luzon was the second phase of the fulfillment of General Douglas MacArthur's promise in March 1942 that he would liberate them from Japanese rule. The landings took place about two weeks after the conclusion of major military operations on Leyte, the first of the Philippines to be liberated from the Japanese.

MacArthur's formal title was Supreme Commander, Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific Area. Naval forces, consisting of the US Seventh Fleet, were under the direction of Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid.

The United States Army Air Force (USAAF) had expected to be able to guarantee air superiority over the Philippines after establishing airfields on Leyte, but two factors prevented this: the Japanese mounted an unexpected level of resistance in the air, and the USAAF pilots available were too inexperienced to take off and land in the dark. Thus, Seventh Fleet had to provide its own air cover, and Admiral Kinkaid insisted that escort carriers could do the job. Being considerably slower than fleet carriers such as the Essex class, it was expected that they would be extremely vulnerable to Japanese air attack. In the event, the escort carriers took a beating but performed admirably.[1]

US Navy combat ships:
18 escort carriers, 6 old battleships, 3 heavy cruisers, 5 light cruisers, 61 destroyers, 21 destroyer escorts

Amphibious assault vessels:
12 high-speed transports, 19 attack transports, 4 transports, 12 attack cargo ships, 9 cargo ships, LCIs, LSMs, 50 LSTs, LSVs, etc.

Auxiliaries:
1 submarine chasers, 63 minesweepers, 3 minelayers, 4 patrol craft, 21 tankers, 21 others

Australian vessels:
2 heavy cruisers, 2 destroyers, 2 frigates, 1 survey ship, 1 harbour defense motor launch, 3 LSIs

British vessels:
1 tanker, 1 ammunition ship

Losses: 1 escort carrier, 3 fast minesweepers

[edit]
Amphibious command ship Wasatch
Ground force commander
Walter Krueger as a full general

US Seventh Fleet
Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in amphibious command ship Wasatch

Luzon Attack Force (Task Force 77)

[edit]

Vice Admiral Kinkaid

Embarking US Sixth Army
Lieutenant General Walter Krueger

Fleet Flagship Group (Task Group 77.1)

[edit]

Vice Admiral Kinkaid

Fleet Flagship Unit (Capt. A.M. Granum)
1 amphibious command ship
1 Mount McKinley-class: Wasatch
2 destroyers
1 Benson-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Frazier
1 Mahan-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Smith
Cruiser Unit (Capt. W.M. Downes)
1 light cruiser
1 Brooklyn-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Boise[a]
2 destroyers
1 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Edwards
1 Benson-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Coghlan

Bombardment and Fire Support Group (Task Group 77.2)

[edit]
Rear Adm. Jesse B. Oldendorf
Battleship California after modernization
Heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire

Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf in battleship California

San Fabian Fire Support Unit (Rear Admiral George L. Weyler in battleship New Mexico)
Unit "M" (Commodore H.B. Farncomb, RAN)
1 New Mexico-class old battleship (12 × 14-in. main battery): Mississippi
1 County-class heavy cruiser (8 × 8-in. main battery): Australia
2 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers (6 × 5-in. main battery): Allen M. Sumner, Lowry
Unit "N" (Rear Adm. I.C. Sowell)
1 Colorado-class old battleship (8 × 16-in. main battery): West Virginia
1 County-class heavy cruiser (8 × 8-in. main battery): Shropshire
2 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers (6 × 5-in. main battery): Laffey, O'Brien
Unit "O" (Rear Adm. Weyler)
1 New Mexico-class old battleship (12 × 14-in. main battery): New Mexico
1 New Orleans-class heavy cruiser (9 × 8-in. main battery): Minneapolis
4 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers (6 × 5-in. main battery): Moale, Barton, Walke, Ingraham
Lingayen Fire Support Unit (Vice Admiral Oldendorf)
3 old battleships
1 Colorado-class (8 × 16-in. main battery): Colorado
1 Tennessee-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): California
1 Pennsylvania-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): Pennsylvania
2 heavy cruisers
1 Northampton-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Louisville
1 Portland-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Portland
1 light cruiser
1 Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Columbia
Screen (Capt. Roland N. Smoot)
11 destroyers
9 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Leutze, Newcomb, Bennion, Heywood L. Edwards, Richard P. Leary, William D. Porter, Bryant, Kimberly, Izard
2 Tribal-class (8 × 4.7-in. main battery): Arunta, Warramunga

Beach Demolition Group

[edit]
Navy Underwater Demolition Team at Tokyo Bay, August 1945

Lieut. Commander O.B. Murphy, USNR

10 high-speed transports
6 ex-Clemson-class destroyers: Humphreys, Sands, Overton, Clemson, George E. Badger, Belknap
2 ex-Wickes-class destroyers: Dickerson, Rathburne
2 ex-Buckley-class destroyer escorts: Blessman, Bull
Embarking Underwater Demolition Teams (Capt. B.H. Hanlon)
UDT 5 (Lt. J.K. DeBold, USNR)
UDT 8 (Lt. Cmdr. D.E. Young, USNR)
UDT 9 (Lt. H.F. Stevenson, USNR)
UDT 10[b] (Lt. A.O. Choate, USNR)
UDT 14 (Lt. A.B. Onderdonk, USNR)
UDT 15 (Lt. H.F. Brooks)

Close Covering Group (Task Group 77.3)

[edit]
Light cruiser Montpelier

Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey

3 light cruisers
1 Brooklyn-class (15 × 6-in. main battery): Phoenix
2 Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Montpelier, Denver
6 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Fletcher, Radford, Nicholas, O'Bannon, Taylor, Hopewell

Escort Carrier Group (Task Group 77.4)

[edit]
Rear Adm. Calvin T. Durgin
Grumman F4F/FM-2 Wildcat fighter
Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber

Rear Admiral Calvin T. Durgin

Lingayen Carrier Group (Rear Adm. Durgin)
5 escort carriers
Makin Island (Capt. W.B. Whaley)
Composite Squadron 84 (Cmdr. W.H. Rogers, USNR)
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Lunga Point (Capt. G.A.T. Washburn)
Composite Squadron 85 (Lt. Cmdr. F.C. Herriman)
14 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Bismarck Sea (Capt. J.L. Pratt)
Composite Squadron 86 (Lt. B.M. Lakin, USNR)
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Salamaua (Capt. J.I. Taylor)
Composite Squadron 87 (Lt. H.N. Heisel)
14 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
10 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Hoggatt Bay (Capt. J.A. Briggs)
Composite Squadron 88 (Lt. Cmdr. E.N. Webb (KIA))
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Lingayen Protective Group (Rear Adm. Ralph A. Ofstie)
Escort carrier Kitkun Bay
2 escort carriers
Kitkun Bay (Capt. Albert Handly)
Composite Squadron 91 (Lt. Cmdr. B.D. Mack (KIA))
17 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Shamrock Bay (Capts F.T. Ward)
Composite Squadron 94 (Lt. Cmdr. J.F. Patterson, USNR)
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
2 destroyer escorts
Both John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): John C. Butler, O'Flaherty
Hunter-Killer Group (Capt. J.C. Cronin)
John C. Butler-class destroyer escort Ulvert M. Moore, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.
1 escort carrier
Tulagi (Capt. Cronin)
Composite Squadron 92 (Lt. J.B. Wallace)
11 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
7 destroyer escorts
All John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Edmonds, Stafford, William Seiverling, Ulvert M. Moore[c], Kendall C. Campbell, Goss, Howard F. Clark
Screen (Capt. V.D. Long)
7 destroyers
3 Gridley-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Gridley, McCall, Maury
4 Bagley-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Bagley, Helm, Ralph Talbot, Patterson
San Fabian Carrier Group
Rear Adm. Felix B. Stump
Escort carrier Wake Island
Escort carrier Ommaney Bay
Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump
6 escort carriers
Natoma Bay (Capt. Albert K. Morehouse)
Composite Squadron 81 (Lt. Cmdr. R.C. Barnes)
18 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Manila Bay (Capt. Fitzhugh Lee, III)
Composite Squadron 80 (Lt. Cmdr. H.K. Stubbs, USNR)
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Wake Island (Capt. A.V. Magly)
Composite Spotting Squadron 1 (Lt. Cmdr. W.F. Bringle)
23 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Steamer Bay (Capt. Steadman Teller)
Composite Squadron 90 (Lt. Cmdr. R.A. O'Neill)
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Savo Island (Capt. Clarence E. Ekstrom)
Composite Squadron 27 (Lt. Cmdr. P.W. Jackson)
19 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Ommaney Bay (scuttled after kamikaze attack, 4 Jan 1945) (Capt. H.L. Young)
Composite Squadron 75 (Lt. Cmdr. A.W. Smith)
19 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Screen (Capt. H.J. Martin)
7 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Hall, Halligan, Bell, Burns, Paul Hamilton, Twiggs, Abbot
Close Covering Group
Escort carrier Saginaw Bay
Destroyer Charrette
Rear Admiral G.R. Henderson
4 escort carriers
Saginaw Bay (Capt. F.C. Sutton)
Composite Squadron 78 (Lt. F.G. Lewis, USNR)
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Kadashan Bay (Capt. R.N. Hunter)
Composite Squadron 20 (Lt. Cmdr. J.F. McRoberts)
24 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Marcus Island (Capt. C.F. Greber)
Composite Squadron 21 (Lt. Cmdr. T.R. Murray, USNR)
24 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
  9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Petrof Bay (Capt. R.S. Clarke)
Composite Squadron 76 (Cmdr. J.W. MaCauley)
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Screen (Capt. J.W. Callahan)
2 destroyers
Both Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Charrette, Conner
2 destroyer escorts
Both John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Richard S. Bull, Richard M. Rowell

Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group (Task Group 77.6)

[edit]
Auk-class minesweeper
Admirable-class minesweeper
Australian harbour defence motor launch
Coastal minelayer Monadnock
Fletcher-class destroyer

Commander W.R. Loud

Sweep Unit 1 (Cmdr. Loud)
5 fast minesweepers (all ex-Clemson-class destroyers): Chandler, Southard, Hovey (sunk by air attack, 7 Jan 1945), Long (sunk by air attack, 6 Jan 1945), Hopkins
1 fast minelayer (ex-Clemson-class destroyer): Preble
1 fast transport (ex-Clemson-class destroyer): Brooks
4 Higgins boats
Sweep Unit 2 (Lt. Cmdr. John Clague, USNR)
5 fast minesweepers (all ex-Wickes-class destroyers): Dorsey, Hamilton, Palmer (sunk by air attack, 7 Jan 1945), Hogan, Howard
1 fast minelayer (ex-Wickes-class destroyer): Breese
Sweep Unit 3 (Lt. Cmdr. H.R. Peirce, USNR)
4 Auk-class minesweepers: Requisite, Pursuit, Sage, Triumph
1 Admirable-class minesweeper: Scuffle
Sweep Unit 4 (Lt. Cmdr. J.R. Keefer)
5 Admirable-class minesweepers: Salute, Saunter, Scout, Scrimmage, Sentry
Sweep Unit 5 (Lt. J.S. Dement)
8 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 6 (Lt. W.A. Latta, USNR)
8 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 7 (Lt. Paul Schminke, USNR)
8 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 8 (Lt. E.O. Slatmarsh, USNR)
8 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 9 (Lt. G.L. O'Neil, USNR)
5 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 10 (Lt. W.H. Boutell, USNR)
5 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 11
4 Higgins boats equipped as minesweepers
Hydrographic Unit (Cmdr. R.B.A. Hunt, RAN)
2 frigates: Gascoyne, Warrego
1 survey ship: Benalla
1 harbour defence motor launch: HDML-1074
1 yard minesweeper: YMS-316
Service Unit (Lt. Cmdr. J.E. Cole, USNR)
1 coastal minelayer: Monadnock

Screening Group (Task Group 77.7)

[edit]

Captain J.B. McLean

4 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Stanly, Halford, Bush, Stembel

Salvage and Rescue Group (Task Group 77.8)

[edit]
Ocean tug Quapaw

Commander B.S. Huie, USNR

3 salvage vessels: Grasp, Grapple, Cable
2 repair ships: Amycus, Egeria
2 fleet tugs (both Navajo-class): Apache, Chickasaw
5 ocean tugs (all Abnaki-class): Hidatsa, Quapaw, Rail, Chowanoc, Potawatomi
1 rescue tug: ATR-61
8 LCI(L)s

Reinforcement Group (Task Group 77.9)

[edit]
Richard L. Conolly as a vice admiral
Amphibious command ship Appalachian
Evarts-class destroyer escort
Attack transport Appling

Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly in amphibious command ship Appalachian

Embarking
25th Infantry Division (Maj. Gen. C.L. Mullins)
  158th Infantry Regimental Combat Team (Brig. Gen. H. MacNider)
  13th Armored Group (Col. M.E. Jones)
Flagship Unit
1 Appalachian-class amphibious command ship: Appalachian
1 Fletcher-class destroyer (5 × 5-in. main battery): Remey
Sailing from Nouméa
9 attack transports: President Jackson, President Adams, La Porte, Latimer, Oxford, Zeilin, Oconto, Laurens, Audrain
2 transports: President Monroe, Comet
9 attack cargos: Algol, Navajo Victory, Manderson Victory, Las Vegas Victory, Bedford Victory, H.T. Dodge, Solon Turman, Wrangell, Fomalhaut
3 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery): McNair, Norman Scott, Melvin
Sailing from Bougainville
2 attack transports: Libra, De Harmon
1 transport: President Polk
Sailing from Milne Bay
2 attack transports: Warren, De Darby
Sailing from Oro Bay
1 attack cargo: Uvalde
1 Evarts-class destroyer escort (3 × 3-in. main battery): J. Douglas Blackwood
Sailing from Lae
1 attack transport: Olmsted
Sailing from Finschafen
1 hospital ship: Tryon
1 attack cargo: Warrick
Sailing from Hollandia
1 attack transport: Appling
1 transport: Winged Arrow
1 fast transport (ex-Buckley-class destroyer escort): Coolbaugh
Sailing from Noemfoor
3 attack transports: Leon, Adair, Haskell
1 attack cargo: Diphda
11 fast transports:
5 ex-Wickes-class destroyers: Kilty, Schley, Crosby, Herbert, Talbot
1 ex-Caldwell-class destroyer: Manley
1 ex-Clemson-class destroyer: Goldsborough
4 ex-Buckley-class destroyer escorts: Lloyd, Newman, Kephart, Cofer
Sailing from Leyte
1 attack transport: Gilliam
1 patrol craft: PC-1128
2 tankers: Bennington, Birch Collie
Landing ship, tank
Submarine chaser used in advertisement
LST Unit (Cmdr. A.A. Ageton)
Sailing from Bougainville
1 Buckley-class destroyer escort (3 × 3-in. main battery): Greenwood
3 LSTs
Sailing from Oro Bay
1 Buckley-class destroyer escort (3 × 3-in. main battery): Loeser
5 LSTs
Sailing from Hollandia
1 Fletcher-class destroyer (5 × 5-in. main battery): Monssen
7 LSTs
1 subchaser: SC-735
7 merchant ships
Sailing from Noemfoor
6 LSTs
2 patrol craft: PC-462, PC-563
Sailing from Sansapoor
1 LST
1 patrol craft: PC-464
Sailing from Morotai
3 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery): McDermut, McGowan, Mertz
13 LSTs
Sailing from Leyte
15 LSTs

Service Group (Task Group 77.10)

[edit]
General stores ship Acubens
Floating drydock with light cruiser Cleveland inside

Rear Admiral R.O. Glover

Leyte Service Unit (Capt. E.P. Hylant)
7 tankers: Caribou, Carondelet, Silver Cloud, Shikellamy, Susquehanna, Bishopdale, Kuruma
1 water ship: Stag
2 ammunition ships: Pyro, Yunnan
2 cargo ships: Murzim, Bootes
1 general stores ship: Acubens
4 net tenders: Teaberry, Satinleaf, Teak, Silverbell
1 repair ship: Midas
1 floating drydock: No. 19
2 merchant ships: Iran Victory, Meridian Victory
Lingayen Service Unit (Capt. T.J. Kelly)
6 tankers: Tallulah, Schuylkill, Chepachet, Mink, Andrew Doria, Kenwood
1 water ship: Severn
2 ammunition ships: Elmira Victory, Provo Victory
1 net tender: Indus
Mindoro Service Unit (Capt. J.D. Beard)
6 tankers: Suamico, Salamonie, Winooski, Pecos, Cowanesque, Panda
3 ammunition ships: Elmira Victory, Provo Victory, Cyrene
Screen (Cmdr. W.H. Putnam, USNR)
6 Buckley-class destroyer escorts (3 × 3-in. main battery): Thomason, Lovelace, Manning, Neuendorf, James E. Craig, Eichenberger

San Fabian Attack Force (Task Force 78)

[edit]
Naval and ground force commanders
for the Eastern sector landings
Vice Adm. Daniel E. Barbey
Maj. Gen. Innis P. Swift
Landing craft, infantry
Landing ship, dock Epping Forest
Sims-class destroyer Russell

Vice Admiral Daniel E. Barbey in amphibious command ship Blue Ridge

Embarking I Army Corps (Major General Innis P. Swift)
Landing at Eastern sector (San Fabian)

White Beach Attack Group (Task Group 78.1)

[edit]

Vice Admiral Barbey

Embarking 43rd Infantry ("Winged Victory") Division (Major General Leonard F. Wing)
White Beach Transport Group
Commodore C.G. Richardson
Transport Group A (Capt. P.P. Welch)
3 attack transports: DuPage, Fuller, Wayne
1 transport: John Land
1 cargo ship: Aquarius
Transport Group B (Comm. Richardson)
2 attack transports: Cavalier, Feland
1 transport: Golden City
1 cargo ship: Thuban
1 LSD: Shadwell
Transport Group C (Capt. D.L. Ryan)
3 attack transports: Fayette, Heywood, Leedstown
1 cargo ship: Hercules
2 LSDs: Epping Forest, White Marsh
LST Group
Captain R.M. Scruggs
LST Unit A: 10 LSTs
LST Unit B: 10 LSTs
LSM Group: 10 LSMs
LCI Smoke Group: 13 LCIs
LCT Group: 6 LCTs
Control Unit: 4 subchasers, 3 patrol craft
LCI Support Unit: 3 LCI(M)s, 11 LCI(G)s, 5 LCI(R)s
Beach Parties (Lt. Cmdr. J.B. Avery, USNR):
No. 4 (Lt. E.J. Zinser, USNR)
No. 6 (Lt. Cmdr. Avery)
Screen
Captain T.B. Dugan
9 destroyers
6 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Jenkins, La Vallette, Converse, Foote, Charles Ausburne, Braine
1 Sims-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Russell
2 Mahan-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Drayton, Shaw
2 destroyer escorts:
Both Rudderow-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Charles J. Kimmel, Thomas F. Nickel
2 patrol craft

Blue Beach Attack Group (Task Group 78.5)

[edit]
Transport Storm King
Landing ship, vehicle Monitor
Repair ship Egeria
Rudderow-class destroyer escort

Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler

Embarking 6th Infantry ("Red Star") Division (Major General Edwin D. Patrick) (KIA)[d]
Blue Beach Transport Group
Commodore D.W. Loomis
Transport Division 20 (Comm. Loomis)
3 attack transports: Leonard Wood, Pierce, James O'Hara
1 transport: La Salle
1 attack cargo: Electra
1 cargo ship: Auriga
1 LSD: Belle Grove
Transport Division 26 (Capt. H.J. Wright)
2 attack transports: Callaway, Sumter
1 transport: Storm King
1 cargo ship: Jupiter
1 LSV: Monitor
1 LSD: Gunston Hall
Transport Division 32-T (Capt. J.L. Allen)
3 attack transports: Barnstable, Elmore, Banner
1 transport: Herald of the Morning
1 cargo ship: Mercury
1 hospital ship: Rixey
Other units
Tractor Unit: 20 LSTs
LSM Unit: 10 LSMs
Control Unit: 3 PC, 4 SC
Support Unit: 2 LCI(G)s
Rocket and LCI Unit: 5 LCIs, 7LCRs
LCT Unit: 6 LCTs
Beach Parties: No. 2, No. 5
Salvage Unit
2 LCIs
1 rescue tug: ATR-61
1 fleet tug: Potawatomi
1 repair ship: Egeria
Screen (Capt. J.H. Wellings)
7 destroyers
4 Benham-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Lang, Stack, Sterett, Wilson
2 Sims-class (4 × 5-in. main battery)[e]: Morris, Mustin
1 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Dashiell
4 destroyer escorts
All Rudderow-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Day, Hodges, Peiffer, Tinsman

Lingayen Attack Force (Task Force 79)

[edit]
Naval and ground force commanders
for the Lingayen landings
Vice Adm. Theodore S. Wilkinson
Oscar W. Griswold as a Lieut. General

Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson in amphibious command ship Mount Olympus

Embarking XIV Army Corps (Major General Oscar W. Griswold)
Landing at Western beaches (Lingayen)

Attack Group Able (Task Group 79.1)

[edit]
Attack transport Harris
Landing ship, vehicle Ozark
Landing ship, infantry Westralia
Destroyer escort Abercrombie

Rear Admiral Ingolf N. Kiland

Embarking 37th Infantry ("Buckeye") Division[f] (Major General Robert S. Beightler)
Transport Group Able (Task Group 79.3)
Commodore M.O. Carlson
Transport Division 28-T (Comm. Carlson)
4 attack transports: Harris, Doyen, Bolivar, Sheridan
1 cargo: Almaack
1 LSV: Ozark
1 LSD: Oak Hill
Transport Division 8-T (Capt. S.P. Jenkins)
1 attack transport: Sarasota
1 attack cargo: Titania
3 LSIs: Manoora, Kanimbla, Westralia
Transport Division 38-T (Capt. G.W. Johnson)
3 attack transports: Lamar, Harry Lee, Alpine
1 transport: Starlight
1 attack cargo: Alshain
1 hospital ship: Pinkney
Tractor Group Able (Task Group 79.5)
Captain J.S. Laidlaw
LST Assault Unit: 8 LSTs
LST Reserve Unit: 11 LSTs
LST Assault Unit: 7 LSMs
LSM Reserve Unit: 11 LSMs
LCT Unit: 6 LCTs
LCI Group (Task Group 79.7)
Commander A.R. Montgomery
Salvage and Fire Fighting Unit: 3 LCI(L)s
Rocket Gunboat Unit: 13 LCI(G)s
Monitor Unit: 6 LCI(M)s
Control Group Able (Task Group 79.9)
Lieut Commander B.H. Kaschinski, USNR
1 John C. Butler-class destroyer escort (2 × 5-in. main battery): Abercrombie
3 PCs, 3 PCSs, 3 YMSs, 1 SC
Screen (Task Group 79.11)
Captain R.H. Smith
6 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Waller, Saufley, Philip, Renshaw, Cony, Robinson
2 destroyer escorts:
Both John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Le Ray Wilson, Gilligan

Attack Group Baker (Task Group 79.2)

[edit]
Rear Adm. Forest B. Royal
Attack transport Cambria
Attack cargo Alcyone
Landing ship, medium

Rear Admiral Forrest B. Royal[g] in amphibious command ship Rocky Mount

Embarking 40th Infantry ("Sunshine") Division[h] (Major General I. Rapp Brush)
Transport Group Baker (Task Group 79.4)
Commodore H.B. Knowles
Transport Division 10-T (Capt. S.M. Haight)
4 attack transports: Clay, William P. Biddle, Arthur Middleton, Baxter
1 transport: George F. Elliott
1 attack cargo: Capricornus
1 LSV: Catskill
Transport Division 18-T (Comm. Knowles)
3 attack transports: Cambria, Monrovia, Frederick Funston
1 transport: War Hawk
1 attack cargo: Alcyone
Transport Division 30-T (Capt. E.T. Short)
3 attack transports: Knox, Calvert, Custer
1 attack cargo: Chara
3 LSDs: Lindenwald, Ashland, Casa Grande
Landing Craft Control Unit (Lt. Cmdr. J.W. Stedman, USNR)
1 John C. Butler-class destroyer escort (2 × 5-in. main battery): Walter C. Wann
3 PCs, 4 SC, 2 PCE(R)
Tractor Group Baker (Task Group 79.6)
Captain E.A. Seay
Assault Unit Green: 5 LSTs
Assault Unit Orange: 4 LSTs
LST Reserve Unit: 10 LSTs
LSM Reserve Unit: 31 LSMs
LCT Unit: 6 LCTs
LCI Group (Task Group 79.8)
Captain T.W. Rimer
Mortar Unit: 6 LCI(M)s
Rocket Gunboat Unit: 13 LCI(G)s
Salvage Unit: 2 LCI(L)s
Transport Group Screen
Captain J.B. McLean
6 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Bush, Halford, Conway, Eaton, Sigourney, Stembel
2 destroyer escorts
Both John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Richard W. Suesens, Oberrender
Landing Craft Screen
Captain E.R. McLean
7 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Picking, Isherwood, Luce, Sproston, Wickes, Young, Charles J. Badger

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ General MacArthur's flagship
  2. ^ William Hopper, later well known for his long-running role on the television series Perry Mason, served in this unit
  3. ^ Commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., USNR
  4. ^ Mortally wounded by Japanese machine gun fire east of Manila 14 Mar 1945, died the following day.
  5. ^ Down from 5 × 5-in. following modification
  6. ^ Landing on Crimson and Yellow beaches.
  7. ^ Died of heart attack 18 Jun 1945 aboard flagship in vicinity of Borneo.
  8. ^ Landing on Orange and Green beaches.

’’’

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Morison, pp. 7-11

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Chun, Clayton K.S. (2017). Luzon 1945: The final liberation of the Philippines. Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-472816-283.
  • Falk, Stanley L. (1971). Liberation of the Philippines. New York: Ballantine Books, Inc. ISBN 978-0-345021-649.
  • Morison, Samuel Eliot (1959). The Liberation of the Philippines: Luzon, Mindanao and the Visayas, 1944-1945. History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. XIII. Boston: Little, Brown and Co. LCCN 47-157.

Theatre and naval commanders for the
liberation of the Philippines
Gen. Douglas MacArthur
Vice Adm. Thomas C. Kinkaid
Path of Allied naval forces from Leyte Gulf assembly area to Lingayen Gulf landing beaches
Light cruiser Columbia struck by a kamikaze in Lingayen Gulf 6 Jan 1945

The January 1945 invasion of Luzon was the second phase of the fulfillment of General Douglas MacArthur's promise in March 1942 that he would liberate them from Japanese rule. The landings took place about two weeks after the conclusion of major military operations on Leyte, the first of the Philippines to be liberated from the Japanese.

MacArthur's formal title was Supreme Commander, Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific Area. Naval forces, consisting of the US Seventh Fleet, were under the direction of Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid.

The United States Army Air Force (USAAF) had expected to be able to guarantee air superiority over the Philippines after establishing airfields on Leyte, but two factors prevented this: the Japanese mounted an unexpected level of resistance in the air, and the USAAF pilots available were too inexperienced to take off and land in the dark. Thus, Seventh Fleet had to provide its own air cover, and Admiral Kinkaid insisted that escort carriers could do the job. Being considerably slower than fleet carriers such as the Essex class, it was expected that they would be extremely vulnerable to Japanese air attack. In the event, the escort carriers took a beating but performed admirably.[1]

US Navy combat ships:
18 escort carriers, 6 old battleships, 3 heavy cruisers, 5 light cruisers, 61 destroyers, 21 destroyer escorts

Amphibious assault vessels:
12 high-speed transports, 19 attack transports, 4 transports, 12 attack cargo ships, 9 cargo ships, LCIs, LSMs, 50 LSTs, LSVs, etc.

Auxiliaries:
1 submarine chasers, 63 minesweepers, 3 minelayers, 4 patrol craft, 21 tankers, 21 others

Australian vessels:
2 heavy cruisers, 2 destroyers, 2 frigates, 1 survey ship, 1 harbour defense motor launch, 3 LSIs

British vessels:
1 tanker, 1 ammunition ship

Losses: 1 escort carrier, 3 fast minesweepers

[edit]
Amphibious command ship Wasatch
Ground force commander
Walter Krueger as a full general

US Seventh Fleet
Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in amphibious command ship Wasatch

Luzon Attack Force (Task Force 77)

[edit]

Vice Admiral Kinkaid

Embarking US Sixth Army
Lieutenant General Walter Krueger

Fleet Flagship Group (Task Group 77.1)

[edit]

Vice Admiral Kinkaid

Fleet Flagship Unit (Capt. A.M. Granum)
1 amphibious command ship
1 Mount McKinley-class: Wasatch
2 destroyers
1 Benson-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Frazier
1 Mahan-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Smith
Cruiser Unit (Capt. W.M. Downes)
1 light cruiser
1 Brooklyn-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Boise[a]
2 destroyers
1 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Edwards
1 Benson-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Coghlan

Bombardment and Fire Support Group (Task Group 77.2)

[edit]
Rear Adm. Jesse B. Oldendorf
Battleship California after modernization
Heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire

Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf in battleship California

San Fabian Fire Support Unit (Rear Admiral George L. Weyler in battleship New Mexico)
Unit "M" (Commodore H.B. Farncomb, RAN)
1 New Mexico-class old battleship (12 × 14-in. main battery): Mississippi
1 County-class heavy cruiser (8 × 8-in. main battery): Australia
2 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers (6 × 5-in. main battery): Allen M. Sumner, Lowry
Unit "N" (Rear Adm. I.C. Sowell)
1 Colorado-class old battleship (8 × 16-in. main battery): West Virginia
1 County-class heavy cruiser (8 × 8-in. main battery): Shropshire
2 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers (6 × 5-in. main battery): Laffey, O'Brien
Unit "O" (Rear Adm. Weyler)
1 New Mexico-class old battleship (12 × 14-in. main battery): New Mexico
1 New Orleans-class heavy cruiser (9 × 8-in. main battery): Minneapolis
4 Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers (6 × 5-in. main battery): Moale, Barton, Walke, Ingraham
Lingayen Fire Support Unit (Vice Admiral Oldendorf)
3 old battleships
1 Colorado-class (8 × 16-in. main battery): Colorado
1 Tennessee-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): California
1 Pennsylvania-class (12 × 14-in. main battery): Pennsylvania
2 heavy cruisers
1 Northampton-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Louisville
1 Portland-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Portland
1 light cruiser
1 Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Columbia
Screen (Capt. Roland N. Smoot)
11 destroyers
9 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Leutze, Newcomb, Bennion, Heywood L. Edwards, Richard P. Leary, William D. Porter, Bryant, Kimberly, Izard
2 Tribal-class (8 × 4.7-in. main battery): Arunta, Warramunga

Beach Demolition Group

[edit]
Navy Underwater Demolition Team at Tokyo Bay, August 1945

Lieut. Commander O.B. Murphy, USNR

10 high-speed transports
6 ex-Clemson-class destroyers: Humphreys, Sands, Overton, Clemson, George E. Badger, Belknap
2 ex-Wickes-class destroyers: Dickerson, Rathburne
2 ex-Buckley-class destroyer escorts: Blessman, Bull
Embarking Underwater Demolition Teams (Capt. B.H. Hanlon)
UDT 5 (Lt. J.K. DeBold, USNR)
UDT 8 (Lt. Cmdr. D.E. Young, USNR)
UDT 9 (Lt. H.F. Stevenson, USNR)
UDT 10[b] (Lt. A.O. Choate, USNR)
UDT 14 (Lt. A.B. Onderdonk, USNR)
UDT 15 (Lt. H.F. Brooks)

Close Covering Group (Task Group 77.3)

[edit]
Light cruiser Montpelier

Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey

3 light cruisers
1 Brooklyn-class (15 × 6-in. main battery): Phoenix
2 Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Montpelier, Denver
6 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Fletcher, Radford, Nicholas, O'Bannon, Taylor, Hopewell

Escort Carrier Group (Task Group 77.4)

[edit]
Rear Adm. Calvin T. Durgin
Grumman F4F/FM-2 Wildcat fighter
Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber

Rear Admiral Calvin T. Durgin

Lingayen Carrier Group (Rear Adm. Durgin)
5 escort carriers
Makin Island (Capt. W.B. Whaley)
Composite Squadron 84 (Cmdr. W.H. Rogers, USNR)
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Lunga Point (Capt. G.A.T. Washburn)
Composite Squadron 85 (Lt. Cmdr. F.C. Herriman)
14 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Bismarck Sea (Capt. J.L. Pratt)
Composite Squadron 86 (Lt. B.M. Lakin, USNR)
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Salamaua (Capt. J.I. Taylor)
Composite Squadron 87 (Lt. H.N. Heisel)
14 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
10 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Hoggatt Bay (Capt. J.A. Briggs)
Composite Squadron 88 (Lt. Cmdr. E.N. Webb (KIA))
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Lingayen Protective Group (Rear Adm. Ralph A. Ofstie)
Escort carrier Kitkun Bay
2 escort carriers
Kitkun Bay (Capt. Albert Handly)
Composite Squadron 91 (Lt. Cmdr. B.D. Mack (KIA))
17 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Shamrock Bay (Capts F.T. Ward)
Composite Squadron 94 (Lt. Cmdr. J.F. Patterson, USNR)
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
2 destroyer escorts
Both John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): John C. Butler, O'Flaherty
Hunter-Killer Group (Capt. J.C. Cronin)
John C. Butler-class destroyer escort Ulvert M. Moore, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.
1 escort carrier
Tulagi (Capt. Cronin)
Composite Squadron 92 (Lt. J.B. Wallace)
11 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
7 destroyer escorts
All John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Edmonds, Stafford, William Seiverling, Ulvert M. Moore[c], Kendall C. Campbell, Goss, Howard F. Clark
Screen (Capt. V.D. Long)
7 destroyers
3 Gridley-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Gridley, McCall, Maury
4 Bagley-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Bagley, Helm, Ralph Talbot, Patterson
San Fabian Carrier Group
Rear Adm. Felix B. Stump
Escort carrier Wake Island
Escort carrier Ommaney Bay
Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump
6 escort carriers
Natoma Bay (Capt. Albert K. Morehouse)
Composite Squadron 81 (Lt. Cmdr. R.C. Barnes)
18 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Manila Bay (Capt. Fitzhugh Lee, III)
Composite Squadron 80 (Lt. Cmdr. H.K. Stubbs, USNR)
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Wake Island (Capt. A.V. Magly)
Composite Spotting Squadron 1 (Lt. Cmdr. W.F. Bringle)
23 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Steamer Bay (Capt. Steadman Teller)
Composite Squadron 90 (Lt. Cmdr. R.A. O'Neill)
16 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Savo Island (Capt. Clarence E. Ekstrom)
Composite Squadron 27 (Lt. Cmdr. P.W. Jackson)
19 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Ommaney Bay (scuttled after kamikaze attack, 4 Jan 1945) (Capt. H.L. Young)
Composite Squadron 75 (Lt. Cmdr. A.W. Smith)
19 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Screen (Capt. H.J. Martin)
7 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Hall, Halligan, Bell, Burns, Paul Hamilton, Twiggs, Abbot
Close Covering Group
Escort carrier Saginaw Bay
Destroyer Charrette
Rear Admiral G.R. Henderson
4 escort carriers
Saginaw Bay (Capt. F.C. Sutton)
Composite Squadron 78 (Lt. F.G. Lewis, USNR)
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Kadashan Bay (Capt. R.N. Hunter)
Composite Squadron 20 (Lt. Cmdr. J.F. McRoberts)
24 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
11 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Marcus Island (Capt. C.F. Greber)
Composite Squadron 21 (Lt. Cmdr. T.R. Murray, USNR)
24 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
  9 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Petrof Bay (Capt. R.S. Clarke)
Composite Squadron 76 (Cmdr. J.W. MaCauley)
20 FM-2 Wildcat fighters
12 TBM Avenger torpedo bombers
Screen (Capt. J.W. Callahan)
2 destroyers
Both Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Charrette, Conner
2 destroyer escorts
Both John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Richard S. Bull, Richard M. Rowell

Minesweeping and Hydrographic Group (Task Group 77.6)

[edit]
Auk-class minesweeper
Admirable-class minesweeper
Australian harbour defence motor launch
Coastal minelayer Monadnock
Fletcher-class destroyer

Commander W.R. Loud

Sweep Unit 1 (Cmdr. Loud)
5 fast minesweepers (all ex-Clemson-class destroyers): Chandler, Southard, Hovey (sunk by air attack, 7 Jan 1945), Long (sunk by air attack, 6 Jan 1945), Hopkins
1 fast minelayer (ex-Clemson-class destroyer): Preble
1 fast transport (ex-Clemson-class destroyer): Brooks
4 Higgins boats
Sweep Unit 2 (Lt. Cmdr. John Clague, USNR)
5 fast minesweepers (all ex-Wickes-class destroyers): Dorsey, Hamilton, Palmer (sunk by air attack, 7 Jan 1945), Hogan, Howard
1 fast minelayer (ex-Wickes-class destroyer): Breese
Sweep Unit 3 (Lt. Cmdr. H.R. Peirce, USNR)
4 Auk-class minesweepers: Requisite, Pursuit, Sage, Triumph
1 Admirable-class minesweeper: Scuffle
Sweep Unit 4 (Lt. Cmdr. J.R. Keefer)
5 Admirable-class minesweepers: Salute, Saunter, Scout, Scrimmage, Sentry
Sweep Unit 5 (Lt. J.S. Dement)
8 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 6 (Lt. W.A. Latta, USNR)
8 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 7 (Lt. Paul Schminke, USNR)
8 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 8 (Lt. E.O. Slatmarsh, USNR)
8 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 9 (Lt. G.L. O'Neil, USNR)
5 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 10 (Lt. W.H. Boutell, USNR)
5 yard minesweepers
Sweep Unit 11
4 Higgins boats equipped as minesweepers
Hydrographic Unit (Cmdr. R.B.A. Hunt, RAN)
2 frigates: Gascoyne, Warrego
1 survey ship: Benalla
1 harbour defence motor launch: HDML-1074
1 yard minesweeper: YMS-316
Service Unit (Lt. Cmdr. J.E. Cole, USNR)
1 coastal minelayer: Monadnock

Screening Group (Task Group 77.7)

[edit]

Captain J.B. McLean

4 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Stanly, Halford, Bush, Stembel

Salvage and Rescue Group (Task Group 77.8)

[edit]
Ocean tug Quapaw

Commander B.S. Huie, USNR

3 salvage vessels: Grasp, Grapple, Cable
2 repair ships: Amycus, Egeria
2 fleet tugs (both Navajo-class): Apache, Chickasaw
5 ocean tugs (all Abnaki-class): Hidatsa, Quapaw, Rail, Chowanoc, Potawatomi
1 rescue tug: ATR-61
8 LCI(L)s

Reinforcement Group (Task Group 77.9)

[edit]
Richard L. Conolly as a vice admiral
Amphibious command ship Appalachian
Evarts-class destroyer escort
Attack transport Appling

Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly in amphibious command ship Appalachian

Embarking
25th Infantry Division (Maj. Gen. C.L. Mullins)
  158th Infantry Regimental Combat Team (Brig. Gen. H. MacNider)
  13th Armored Group (Col. M.E. Jones)
Flagship Unit
1 Appalachian-class amphibious command ship: Appalachian
1 Fletcher-class destroyer (5 × 5-in. main battery): Remey
Sailing from Nouméa
9 attack transports: President Jackson, President Adams, La Porte, Latimer, Oxford, Zeilin, Oconto, Laurens, Audrain
2 transports: President Monroe, Comet
9 attack cargos: Algol, Navajo Victory, Manderson Victory, Las Vegas Victory, Bedford Victory, H.T. Dodge, Solon Turman, Wrangell, Fomalhaut
3 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery): McNair, Norman Scott, Melvin
Sailing from Bougainville
2 attack transports: Libra, De Harmon
1 transport: President Polk
Sailing from Milne Bay
2 attack transports: Warren, De Darby
Sailing from Oro Bay
1 attack cargo: Uvalde
1 Evarts-class destroyer escort (3 × 3-in. main battery): J. Douglas Blackwood
Sailing from Lae
1 attack transport: Olmsted
Sailing from Finschafen
1 hospital ship: Tryon
1 attack cargo: Warrick
Sailing from Hollandia
1 attack transport: Appling
1 transport: Winged Arrow
1 fast transport (ex-Buckley-class destroyer escort): Coolbaugh
Sailing from Noemfoor
3 attack transports: Leon, Adair, Haskell
1 attack cargo: Diphda
11 fast transports:
5 ex-Wickes-class destroyers: Kilty, Schley, Crosby, Herbert, Talbot
1 ex-Caldwell-class destroyer: Manley
1 ex-Clemson-class destroyer: Goldsborough
4 ex-Buckley-class destroyer escorts: Lloyd, Newman, Kephart, Cofer
Sailing from Leyte
1 attack transport: Gilliam
1 patrol craft: PC-1128
2 tankers: Bennington, Birch Collie
Landing ship, tank
Submarine chaser used in advertisement
LST Unit (Cmdr. A.A. Ageton)
Sailing from Bougainville
1 Buckley-class destroyer escort (3 × 3-in. main battery): Greenwood
3 LSTs
Sailing from Oro Bay
1 Buckley-class destroyer escort (3 × 3-in. main battery): Loeser
5 LSTs
Sailing from Hollandia
1 Fletcher-class destroyer (5 × 5-in. main battery): Monssen
7 LSTs
1 subchaser: SC-735
7 merchant ships
Sailing from Noemfoor
6 LSTs
2 patrol craft: PC-462, PC-563
Sailing from Sansapoor
1 LST
1 patrol craft: PC-464
Sailing from Morotai
3 Fletcher-class destroyers (5 × 5-in. main battery): McDermut, McGowan, Mertz
13 LSTs
Sailing from Leyte
15 LSTs

Service Group (Task Group 77.10)

[edit]
General stores ship Acubens
Floating drydock with light cruiser Cleveland inside

Rear Admiral R.O. Glover

Leyte Service Unit (Capt. E.P. Hylant)
7 tankers: Caribou, Carondelet, Silver Cloud, Shikellamy, Susquehanna, Bishopdale, Kuruma
1 water ship: Stag
2 ammunition ships: Pyro, Yunnan
2 cargo ships: Murzim, Bootes
1 general stores ship: Acubens
4 net tenders: Teaberry, Satinleaf, Teak, Silverbell
1 repair ship: Midas
1 floating drydock: No. 19
2 merchant ships: Iran Victory, Meridian Victory
Lingayen Service Unit (Capt. T.J. Kelly)
6 tankers: Tallulah, Schuylkill, Chepachet, Mink, Andrew Doria, Kenwood
1 water ship: Severn
2 ammunition ships: Elmira Victory, Provo Victory
1 net tender: Indus
Mindoro Service Unit (Capt. J.D. Beard)
6 tankers: Suamico, Salamonie, Winooski, Pecos, Cowanesque, Panda
3 ammunition ships: Elmira Victory, Provo Victory, Cyrene
Screen (Cmdr. W.H. Putnam, USNR)
6 Buckley-class destroyer escorts (3 × 3-in. main battery): Thomason, Lovelace, Manning, Neuendorf, James E. Craig, Eichenberger

San Fabian Attack Force (Task Force 78)

[edit]
Naval and ground force commanders
for the Eastern sector landings
Vice Adm. Daniel E. Barbey
Major Gen. Innis P. Swift
Landing craft, infantry
Landing ship, dock Epping Forest
Sims-class destroyer Russell

Vice Admiral Daniel E. Barbey in amphibious command ship Blue Ridge

Embarking I Army Corps (Major General Innis P. Swift)
Landing at Eastern sector (San Fabian)

White Beach Attack Group (Task Group 78.1)

[edit]

Vice Admiral Barbey

Embarking 43rd Infantry ("Winged Victory") Division (Major General Leonard F. Wing)
White Beach Transport Group
Commodore C.G. Richardson
Transport Group A (Capt. P.P. Welch)
3 attack transports: DuPage, Fuller, Wayne
1 transport: John Land
1 cargo ship: Aquarius
Transport Group B (Comm. Richardson)
2 attack transports: Cavalier, Feland
1 transport: Golden City
1 cargo ship: Thuban
1 LSD: Shadwell
Transport Group C (Capt. D.L. Ryan)
3 attack transports: Fayette, Heywood, Leedstown
1 cargo ship: Hercules
2 LSDs: Epping Forest, White Marsh
LST Group
Captain R.M. Scruggs
LST Unit A: 10 LSTs
LST Unit B: 10 LSTs
LSM Group: 10 LSMs
LCI Smoke Group: 13 LCIs
LCT Group: 6 LCTs
Control Unit: 4 subchasers, 3 patrol craft
LCI Support Unit: 3 LCI(M)s, 11 LCI(G)s, 5 LCI(R)s
Beach Parties (Lt. Cmdr. J.B. Avery, USNR):
No. 4 (Lt. E.J. Zinser, USNR)
No. 6 (Lt. Cmdr. Avery)
Screen
Captain T.B. Dugan
9 destroyers
6 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Jenkins, La Vallette, Converse, Foote, Charles Ausburne, Braine
1 Sims-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Russell
2 Mahan-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Drayton, Shaw
2 destroyer escorts:
Both Rudderow-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Charles J. Kimmel, Thomas F. Nickel
2 patrol craft

Blue Beach Attack Group (Task Group 78.5)

[edit]
Transport Storm King
Landing ship, vehicle Monitor
Repair ship Egeria
Rudderow-class destroyer escort

Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler

Embarking 6th Infantry ("Red Star") Division (Major General Edwin D. Patrick) (KIA)[d]
Blue Beach Transport Group
Commodore D.W. Loomis
Transport Division 20 (Comm. Loomis)
3 attack transports: Leonard Wood, Pierce, James O'Hara
1 transport: La Salle
1 attack cargo: Electra
1 cargo ship: Auriga
1 LSD: Belle Grove
Transport Division 26 (Capt. H.J. Wright)
2 attack transports: Callaway, Sumter
1 transport: Storm King
1 cargo ship: Jupiter
1 LSV: Monitor
1 LSD: Gunston Hall
Transport Division 32-T (Capt. J.L. Allen)
3 attack transports: Barnstable, Elmore, Banner
1 transport: Herald of the Morning
1 cargo ship: Mercury
1 hospital ship: Rixey
Other units
Tractor Unit: 20 LSTs
LSM Unit: 10 LSMs
Control Unit: 3 PC, 4 SC
Support Unit: 2 LCI(G)s
Rocket and LCI Unit: 5 LCIs, 7LCRs
LCT Unit: 6 LCTs
Beach Parties: No. 2, No. 5
Salvage Unit
2 LCIs
1 rescue tug: ATR-61
1 fleet tug: Potawatomi
1 repair ship: Egeria
Screen (Capt. J.H. Wellings)
7 destroyers
4 Benham-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Lang, Stack, Sterett, Wilson
2 Sims-class (4 × 5-in. main battery)[e]: Morris, Mustin
1 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Dashiell
4 destroyer escorts
All Rudderow-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Day, Hodges, Peiffer, Tinsman

Lingayen Attack Force (Task Force 79)

[edit]
Naval and ground force commanders
for the Lingayen landings
Vice Adm. Theodore S. Wilkinson
Oscar W. Griswold as a Lieut. General

Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson in amphibious command ship Mount Olympus

Embarking XIV Army Corps (Major General Oscar W. Griswold)
Landing at Western beaches (Lingayen)

Attack Group Able (Task Group 79.1)

[edit]
Attack transport Harris
Landing ship, vehicle Ozark
Landing ship, infantry Westralia
Destroyer escort Abercrombie

Rear Admiral Ingolf N. Kiland

Embarking 37th Infantry ("Buckeye") Division[f] (Major General Robert S. Beightler)
Transport Group Able (Task Group 79.3)
Commodore M.O. Carlson
Transport Division 28-T (Comm. Carlson)
4 attack transports: Harris, Doyen, Bolivar, Sheridan
1 cargo: Almaack
1 LSV: Ozark
1 LSD: Oak Hill
Transport Division 8-T (Capt. S.P. Jenkins)
1 attack transport: Sarasota
1 attack cargo: Titania
3 LSIs: Manoora, Kanimbla, Westralia
Transport Division 38-T (Capt. G.W. Johnson)
3 attack transports: Lamar, Harry Lee, Alpine
1 transport: Starlight
1 attack cargo: Alshain
1 hospital ship: Pinkney
Tractor Group Able (Task Group 79.5)
Captain J.S. Laidlaw
LST Assault Unit: 8 LSTs
LST Reserve Unit: 11 LSTs
LST Assault Unit: 7 LSMs
LSM Reserve Unit: 11 LSMs
LCT Unit: 6 LCTs
LCI Group (Task Group 79.7)
Commander A.R. Montgomery
Salvage and Fire Fighting Unit: 3 LCI(L)s
Rocket Gunboat Unit: 13 LCI(G)s
Monitor Unit: 6 LCI(M)s
Control Group Able (Task Group 79.9)
Lieut Commander B.H. Kaschinski, USNR
1 John C. Butler-class destroyer escort (2 × 5-in. main battery): Abercrombie
3 PCs, 3 PCSs, 3 YMSs, 1 SC
Screen (Task Group 79.11)
Captain R.H. Smith
6 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Waller, Saufley, Philip, Renshaw, Cony, Robinson
2 destroyer escorts:
Both John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Le Ray Wilson, Gilligan

Attack Group Baker (Task Group 79.2)

[edit]
Rear Adm. Forest B. Royal
Attack transport Cambria
Attack cargo Alcyone
Landing ship, medium

Rear Admiral Forrest B. Royal[g] in amphibious command ship Rocky Mount

Embarking 40th Infantry ("Sunshine") Division[h] (Major General I. Rapp Brush)
Transport Group Baker (Task Group 79.4)
Commodore H.B. Knowles
Transport Division 10-T (Capt. S.M. Haight)
4 attack transports: Clay, William P. Biddle, Arthur Middleton, Baxter
1 transport: George F. Elliott
1 attack cargo: Capricornus
1 LSV: Catskill
Transport Division 18-T (Comm. Knowles)
3 attack transports: Cambria, Monrovia, Frederick Funston
1 transport: War Hawk
1 attack cargo: Alcyone
Transport Division 30-T (Capt. E.T. Short)
3 attack transports: Knox, Calvert, Custer
1 attack cargo: Chara
3 LSDs: Lindenwald, Ashland, Casa Grande
Landing Craft Control Unit (Lt. Cmdr. J.W. Stedman, USNR)
1 John C. Butler-class destroyer escort (2 × 5-in. main battery): Walter C. Wann
3 PCs, 4 SC, 2 PCE(R)
Tractor Group Baker (Task Group 79.6)
Captain E.A. Seay
Assault Unit Green: 5 LSTs
Assault Unit Orange: 4 LSTs
LST Reserve Unit: 10 LSTs
LSM Reserve Unit: 31 LSMs
LCT Unit: 6 LCTs
LCI Group (Task Group 79.8)
Captain T.W. Rimer
Mortar Unit: 6 LCI(M)s
Rocket Gunboat Unit: 13 LCI(G)s
Salvage Unit: 2 LCI(L)s
Transport Group Screen
Captain J.B. McLean
6 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Bush, Halford, Conway, Eaton, Sigourney, Stembel
2 destroyer escorts
Both John C. Butler-class (2 × 5-in. main battery): Richard W. Suesens, Oberrender
Landing Craft Screen
Captain E.R. McLean
7 destroyers
All Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Picking, Isherwood, Luce, Sproston, Wickes, Young, Charles J. Badger

Notes

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  1. ^ General MacArthur's flagship
  2. ^ William Hopper, later well known for his long-running role on the television series Perry Mason, served in this unit
  3. ^ Commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., USNR
  4. ^ Mortally wounded by Japanese machine gun fire east of Manila 14 Mar 1945, died the following day.
  5. ^ Down from 5 × 5-in. following modification
  6. ^ Landing on Crimson and Yellow beaches.
  7. ^ Died of heart attack 18 Jun 1945 aboard flagship in vicinity of Borneo.
  8. ^ Landing on Orange and Green beaches.

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References

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  1. ^ Morison, pp. 7-11

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Chun, Clayton K.S. (2017). Luzon 1945: The final liberation of the Philippines. Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-472816-283.
  • Falk, Stanley L. (1971). Liberation of the Philippines. New York: Ballantine Books, Inc. ISBN 978-0-345021-649.
  • Morison, Samuel Eliot (1959). The Liberation of the Philippines: Luzon, Mindanao and the Visayas, 1944-1945. History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Vol. XIII. Boston: Little, Brown and Co. LCCN 47-157.