The 65th Anniversary of The Battle of Leyte Gulf

October 23rd through October 26th in 1944. Sixty-five years ago this weekend, the greatest naval battle in history took place in the Pacific ocean. The Allies, led by the United States Navy successfully fought the Japanese Navy.

This pic is from October 20, 1944 when, courtesy of ADM Halsey's 3rd Fleet & ADM Kincaid's 7th Fleet, GEN MacArthur lands at Leyte Island.

The Japanese commence Sho-Go (Victory Operation). The fleets of Admirals Nishimura, Kurita, Ozawa and Shima come at the Allies with their last ditch effort to defeat us or die honorably.

What happens between October 23rd and October 26th is the most incredible display of American determination, ingenuity and courage.

Lieutenant Commander Robert Copeland, skipper of USS Samuel B Roberts (DE 413), addressed his crew October 25, 1944 "This will be a fight against overwhelming odds from which survival cannot be expected. We will do what damage we can."

A great recap is Episode 19 of Victory at Sea as @deremilitari pointed out to me on Twitter.

Other great posts -
From EagleSpeak's archives
The Battle of Leyte Gulf: 23-26 October 1944 & new Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday Ship History: The Battle of Leyte Gulf
From SteelJaw Scribe
65th Anniversary of Leyte Gulf
From Chaotic Synaptic Activity's archives Thursday Maritime Matters: Special Edition and from CSA today 10/25/44 the Last Great Naval Battle

/r GODNAVBLOGSTRIFOR