User:Hungrydog55/sandbox/military/pacificfront/1945-01 Luzon navaloob

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.

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

Naval forces

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)

Vice Admiral Kinkaid

Embarking US Sixth Army

Lieutenant General Walter Krueger

Fleet Flagship Group (Task Group 77.1)

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

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)

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

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 (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)

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)

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, 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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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): 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)

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)

Attack transport Harris

Landing ship, vehicle Ozark

Landing ship, infantry Westralia

Destroyer escort Abercrombie

Rear Admiral Ingolf N. Kiland

Embarking 37th Infantry ("Buckeye") Division (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)

Rear Adm. Forest B. Royal

Attack transport Cambria

Attack cargo Alcyone

Landing ship, medium

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

Embarking 40th Infantry ("Sunshine") Division (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

’’’

Bibliography

• 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.

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

Naval forces

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)

Vice Admiral Kinkaid

Embarking US Sixth Army

Lieutenant General Walter Krueger

Fleet Flagship Group (Task Group 77.1)

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

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)

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

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 (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)

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)

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, 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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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): 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)

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)

Attack transport Harris

Landing ship, vehicle Ozark

Landing ship, infantry Westralia

Destroyer escort Abercrombie

Rear Admiral Ingolf N. Kiland

Embarking 37th Infantry ("Buckeye") Division (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)

Rear Adm. Forest B. Royal

Attack transport Cambria

Attack cargo Alcyone

Landing ship, medium

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

Embarking 40th Infantry ("Sunshine") Division (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

’’’

Bibliography

• 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.