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..
Third Fleet
Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in amphibious command ship Wasatch
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
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
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 (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 (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 (at the Battle off Samar, 25 Oct), Heermann, Johnston (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 (at the Battle off Samar, 25 Oct)
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
26 auxiliary motor minesweepers
1 harbour defence motor launch: 1074
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
Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey in amphibious command ship Blue Ridge
Embarking X Army Corps under Maj. Gen. Franklin C. Sibert
Palo Attack Group (Task Group 78.1): Left beaches
Rear Admiral Barbey
Embarking 24th Infantry ("Taro") Division under Maj. Gen. Frederick A. Irving
Transport Unit (Capt. T.B. Brittain)
Transport Division 24 (Capt. Brittain)
4 attack transports: DuPage, Fuller, Elmore, Wayne
1 transport: John Land
1 attack cargo ship: Aquarius
1 landing ship dock: Gunston Hall
Transport Division 6 (Capt. H.D. Baker)
3 attack transports: Fayette, Ormsby, Leedstown
1 attack cargo ship: Titania
1 cargo ship: Hercules
2 landing ship docks: Epping Forest, Carter Hall
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
1 frigate
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 landing ship dock: White Marsh
Transport Division 20 (Capt. D.W. Loomis)
3 attack transports: Leonard Wood, Pierce, James O'Hara
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
8 landing craft infantry: 6 rocket, 2 gunboat
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
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
4 merchant ships
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.P. Ginder
Arriving 24 October
Amphibious assault vessels
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
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
Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson in amphibious command ship Mount Olympus
Embarking XXIV Army Corps under Lieut. Gen. John R. Hodge
Attack Group "Able" (Task Group 79.1): Left beaches
Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly in amphibious command ship Appalachian
Embarking 7th Infantry "Bayonet" Division under Maj. Gen. Archibald V. Arnold
Transport Group "Able" (Task Group 79.3)
Captain C.G. Richardson
Transport Division 7 (Capt. Richardson)
3 attack transports: Cavalier, J. Franklin Bell, Feland
1 transport: Golden City
1 landing ship dock: Lindenwald
Transport Division 30 (Capt. C.A. Mission)
3 attack transports: Knox, Calvert, Custer
1 evacuation transport: Rixey
Transport Division 38 (Capt. Charles Allen)
3 attack transports: Lamar, Alpine, Heywood
2 transports: Starlight, Monitor
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
2 landing ship docks: Casa Grande, Rushmore
Transport Division 28 (Capt. H.C. Flanagan)
3 attack transports: Bolivar, Sheridan, Doyen
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 W. Hayler)
2 light cruisers
Both Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Denver, Columbia
Screen (Capt. Roland N. Smoot)
13 destroyers
11 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Leutze, Newcomb, Bennion, Heywood L. Edwards, Richard P. Leary, Robinson, Ross, Albert W. Grant, Bryant, Halford, Claxton
2 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Thorn, Welles
Rear Admiral R.O. Glover
Fueling at Sea Unit (Capt. J.D. Beard)
7 oilers: Saranac, Ashtabula, Salamonie, Suamico, Kishwaukee, Schuylkill, Tallulah
5 ammunition ships: Mazama, Durham Victory, Iran Victory, Bluefield Victory, Canada Victory
Escort Unit (Cmdr. F.W. Howers)
3 Buckley-class destroyer escorts (3 × 3-in. main battery): Whitehurst, Witter, Bowers
Leyte Gulf Unit (Capt. E.P. Hylant)
6 tankers: Arethusa, Caribou, Mink, Panda, Porcupine, Bishopdale
1 water tanker: Severn
4 net tenders: Indus, Teak, Silverbell, Satinleaf
3 repair and salvage vessels: Achilles, Cable, Midas
1 floating dry dock: ARD-19
4 ammunition ships: Murzim, Poyang, Ranvr, Yunnan
9 provision ships: Arequipa, Calamaries, Mizar, Octane, Crux, Ganymede, Triangulum, Pollux, Acubens, Merkur
2 hospital ships: Mercy, Comfort
Admiral William F. Halsey in fast battleship New Jersey
Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher in fleet carrier Lexington
220px|thumb|Light cruiser Houston in dazzle camouflage
Vice Admiral John S. McCain Sr.
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
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
Cruiser Division 6 (Rear Adm. C. Turner Joy)
1 heavy cruiser (9 × 8-in. main battery)
Cruiser Division 10 (Rear Adm. Lloyd J. Wiltse)
2 heavy cruisers
Both Baltimore-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): Boston, Canberra
1 light cruiser
1 Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Houston
Screen (Capt. C.F. Espe)
15 destroyers
12 Fletcher-class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Izard, Charrette, Conner, Bell, Burns, Cogswell, Caperton, Ingersoll, Knapp, Boyd, Cowell, Brown,
1 Benson-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Woodworth
2 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): McCalla, Grayson
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
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
Battleship Division 7 (Rear Adm. Oscar C. Badger II)
2 fast battleships
Both Iowa-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): Iowa, New Jersey
Cruiser Division 14 (Rear Adm. Francis E. M. Whiting)
2 light cruisers
Both Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Vincennes, Miami
2 anti-aircraft light cruisers:
Both Atlanta-class: San Diego, Oakland
Screen (Capt. John P. Womble)
18 destroyers
All Fletcher class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Owen, Miller, The Sullivans, Stephen Potter, Tingey, Hickox, Hunt, Lewis Hancock, Marshall, Halsey Powell, Cushing, Colahan, Uhlmann, Benham, Stockham, Wedderburn, Twining, Yarnall
Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman
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
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
4 fast battleships (Vice Adm. Willis Augustus Lee)
1 North Carolina-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): Washington
Battleship Division 8 (Rear Adm. Glenn B. Davis)
1 South Dakota-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): Massachusetts
Battleship Division 9 (Rear Adm. Edward Hanson)
2 South Dakota-class (9 × 16-in. main battery): Alabama, South Dakota
Cruiser Division 13 (Rear Adm. Laurance T. DuBose)
3 light cruisers
All Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Santa Fe, Mobile, Birmingham
1 anti-aircraft light cruiser
1 Atlanta-class (12 × 5-in. main battery): Reno
Screen (Capt. C.R. Todd)
14 destroyers
All Fletcher class (5 × 5-in. main battery): Clarence K. Bronson, Cotten, Dortch, Gatling, Healy, Porterfield, Callaghan, Cassin Young, Irwin, Preston, Laws, Longshaw, Morrison, Prichett
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
1 New Orleans-class (9 × 8-in. main battery): New Orleans
1 light cruiser
1 Cleveland-class (12 × 6-in. main battery): Biloxi
Screen (Capt. V.D. Long)
11 destroyers
3 Gleaves-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Wilkes, Nicholson, Swanson
3 Gridley-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Gridley, McCall, Maury
5 Bagley-class (4 × 5-in. main battery): Bagley, Helm, Mugford, Patterson, Ralph Talbot