10/01 Sun. Office of Deputy Commander in Chief United States Fleet and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Vice Adm. R. S. Edwards) is established. United States naval vessel sunk: Motor minesweeper YMS-385, by mine, western Caroline Islands area, 09 d. 52'N., 139 d. 37'E. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer FORREST (DD-461), by collision, Southern France area, 43 d. 20'N., 05 d. 20'E. Destroyer BAILEY (DD-492), by strafing, Palau Islands area, Caroline Islands, 06 d. 59'N., 134 d. 13'E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Coastal minelayer AJIRO, by submarine SNAPPER (SS- 185), northwest of Bonin Islands, 28 d. 11'N., 139 d. 30'E. 10/02 Mon. United States naval vessels damaged by storm, Palau Islands, Caroline Islands: LST 129, LST 278, and LST 661, 06 d. 59'N., 134 d. 13'E. 10/03 Tue. United States naval vessels sunk: Submarine SEAWOLF (SS-197), accidentally by United States forces, off Morotai Island, Netherlands East Indies. Destroyer escort SHELTON (DE-407), by submarine torpedo Netherlands East Indies area, 02 d. 33'N,, 129 d. 18'E. Japanese submarine sunk: I-364, by destroyer escort SAMUEL S. MILES (DE- 183), Palau Islands area, Caroline Islands, 07 d. 48'N., 133 d. 18'E. 10/06 Fri. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Gunboat SAGA, by mine, off Hong Kong, 22 d. 17'N., 114 d. 10'E. Coast defense vessel NO. 21, by submarine SEAHORSE (SS-304), South China Sea, 19 d. 17'N, 118 d. 08'E. 10/08 Sun. Land-based aircraft from the Marianas Islands increase tempo of air strikes on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands. 10/09 Mon. Cruiser and destroyer group (Rear Adm. A. E. Smith) bombards enemy coast defense positions on Marcus Island. Carrier RANDOLPH (CV-15) is commissioned at Newport News, Va. 10/10 Tue. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher) composed of 17 carriers, escorted by 5 battleships, 14 cruisers, and 58 destroyers bomb Japanese shipping and shore facilities on Okinawa and other islands in the Ryukyus. Japanese naval vessels sunk, Ryukyu Islands area: Submarine tender JINGEI, by carrier-based aircraft, 26 d. 39'N., 127 d. 52'E. Transport NO. 158, by carrier-based aircraft, 26 d. 38'N., 127 d. 52'E. 10/11 Wed. Aircraft from two carrier task groups (Vice Adm. J. S. McCain and Rear Adm. R. E. Davison) attack airfields and other enemy facilities in northern Luzon, P. I. United States naval vessel sunk: PT-368, by grounding, western New Guinea area, 01 d. 59'N., 127 d. 57'E; sunk by United States forces. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Transport NO. 105, by submarine TREPANG (SS-412), off Honshu, Japan, 33 d. 18'N., 137 d. 42'E. 10/12 Thu. Carrier-based aircraft from Third Fleet (Adm. W. F. Halsey) commence 5-day attack against enemy shipping, airfield facilities, and industrial plants on Formosa and northern Luzon, P. I. These strikes meet with intensive counterattacks by Japanese aircraft. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer PRICHETT (DD-561), accidentally by United States naval gunfire, Formosa area, 21 d. 08'N., 123 d. 19'E. 10/13 Fri. Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands is secured. United States naval vessels damaged, Luzon, P. I., and Formosa area: Carrier FRANKLIN (CV-13), by suicide plane, 22 d. 55'N., 123 d. 12'E. Heavy cruiser CANBERRA (CA-70), by aircraft torpedo, 22 d. 48'N., 123 d. 01'E. 10/14 Sat. United States naval vessels damaged, Luzon, P. I., and Formosa area: Carrier HANCOCK (CV-19), by horizontal bomber, 23 d. 30'N., 121 d. 30'E. Light cruiser HOUSTON (CL-81), by aircraft torpedo, 22 d. 27'N., 124 d. 01'E. Light cruiser Reno (CL-96), by suicide plane, 22 d. 30'N., 124 d. 50'E. Destroyer COWELL (DD-547), by collision, 22 d. 27'N., 124 d. 01'E. Destroyer CASSIN YOUNG (DD-793), by strafing, 22 d. 30'N 124 d. 50'E. 10/15 Sun. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E. Davison) bomb targets in the Manila area, Luzon, P. I. Coast Guard Cutter EASTWIND (AG-279), captures German trawler, EXTERNSTEINE, off the northeast coast of Greenland. Command designated Minecraft, Pacific Fleet (Rear Adm. A. Sharp), is established. United States naval vessel damaged: Carrier FRANKLIN (CV-13), by horizontal bomber, Philippine Islands area, 16 d. 29'N., 123 d. 57'E. 10/16 Mon. United States naval vessel damaged: Light cruiser HOUSTON (CL-81), by aircraft torpedo, off Luzon, P. I., 20 d. 54'N., 125 d. 09'E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Torpedo boat HATO, by Army aircraft, East China Sea, 21 d. 49'N., 115 d. 50'E. 10/17 Tue. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E. Davison bomb Japanese airfields on Luzon, P. I. Army troops are landed on Suluan and Dinagat Islands at the entrance to Leyte Gulf, P. I. Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands supplies on northeast coast of Tawi Tawi, P. I. United States naval vessel sunk: Motor minesweeper YMS-70, by storm, off Leyte, P. I. 10 d. 56'N., 125 d. 12'E. United States naval vessel damaged: Minelayer MONTGOMERY (DM-17), by mine, east of Palau Islands, Caroline Islands, 10 d. 56'N., 125 d. 12'E. 10/18 Wed. Aircraft from three task groups of the Third Fleet (Adm. W. F. Halsey), including 13 carriers, attack Japanese installations and shipping in northern Luzon and the Manila area, P. I. Cruiser task group (Rear Adm. J. B. Oldendorf) bombards enemy shore installations on Leyte, P. I. Army troops land on Homonhon Island at the entrance to Leyte Gulf, P. I. United States Naval Advanced Base, Le Havre, France, is established. United States naval vessel damaged: High-speed transport GOLDSBOROUGH (APD-32), by coastal defense gun, Leyte Gulf area, 10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E. LST 906, by grounding, off Leghorn, Italy. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Auxiliary submarine chaser NO. 95, by carrier-based aircraft, Luzon area, P. I., 18 d. 54'N., 121 d. 51'E. Transports NOs. 135 and 136, by carrier-based aircraft, Luzon area P. I., 17 d. 46'N., 120 d. 25'E. 10/19 Thu. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) lands men and supplies on southwest coast of Negros, P. I. United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P. I.: Escort carrier SANGAMON (CVE-16), by horizontal bomber, 10 d. 46'N., 126 d. 23'E. Destroyer ROSS (DD-563), by mine, 10 d. 17'N., 125 d. 40'E. Destroyer AULICK (DD-569), by coastal defense gun, 11 d. 13'N., 125 d. 02'E. Salvage vessel PRESERVER (ARS-8), by horizontal bomber, 10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E. 10/20 Fri. Army forces land on Leyte, P. I., supported by naval gunfire and carrier-based aircraft. The overall commander is Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the naval commander is Vice Adm. T. C. Kinkaid, and the ground troops are commanded by Lt. Gen. W. Krueger. Naval Operating Base, Guam, Marianas Islands, is established. United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P. I.: Light cruiser HONOLULU (CL-48), by aircraft torpedo, 11 d. 01'N., 125 d. 07'E. Destroyer BENNION (DD-662), by coastal defense gun, 10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E. LST 452, by coastal defense gun, 11 d. 10'N., 125 d. 01'E. 10/21 Sat. Carrier-based aircraft (Rear Adm. G. F. Bogan) attack Panay, Cebu, Negros, and Masbate, P. I. United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P. I.: Transport WARHAWK (AP-168), by collision, 10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E. LST 269, LST 483, LST 486, and LST 704, by coastal mortars, 10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E. 10/22 Sun. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Auxiliary submarine chaser NO. 5, by carrier-based aircraft, Leyte area, P. I., 12 d. 55'N., 121 d. 35'E. 10/23 Mon. Battle for Leyte Gulf (13-16 October) opens as United States submarines off Palawan Island sight and attack the Center Force of three Japanese naval groups moving on Leyte in a major effort to drive United States forces from the Philippines. Two enemy cruisers are sunk. Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on east coast of Luzon, P. I. (Operation continues on 24 and 25 October) Japanese naval vessels sunk, off Palawan, P. I.: Heavy cruiser MAYA, by submarine DACE (SS-247), 09 d. 11'N., 117 d. 07'E. Heavy cruiser ATAGO, by submarine DARTER (SS-227), 09 d. 28'N., 117 d. 17'E. 10/24 Tue. Battle for Leyte Gulf (23-26 October) continues. Carrier-based aircraft (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher) locate and heavily attack the Japanese Center Force south of Mindoro in the Sibuyan Sea, and the Southern Force steaming through the Sulu Sea, Enemy aircraft counterattack United States forces. During the night, the United States fast carriers move north from San Bernardino Strait to be in a position for dawn strikes against the enemy Northern Force. The Japanese Center Force moves through San Bernardino Strait and south toward Leyte Gulf. United States naval vessels sunk: Light carrier PRINCETON (CVL-23), damaged by dive bomber, Battle for Leyte Gulf, 15 d. 12'N., 123 d. 36'E.; sunk by United States forces. Submarine DARTER (SS-117), damaged by grounding, Bombay Shoal, Palawan Passage, P. I.; destroyed by United States forces. Submarine TANG (SS-306), by circular run of her own torpedo, north of Formosa. Ocean tug SONOMA (ATO-12), by suicide plane, Battle for Leyte Gulf, 10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E. United States naval vessels damaged, Battle for Leyte Gulf: Light cruiser BIRMINGHAM (CL-62) and destroyers MORRISON (DD-560), GATLING (DD-671), and IRWIN (DD-794), by rolling against PRINCETON (CVL-23) while alongside, and by fragments from her exploding magazines. Destroyer LEUTZE (DD-481), by horizontal bomber, 10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E. Destroyer ALBERT W. GRANT (DD-649), by naval gunfire, 10 d. 27'N., 125 d. 25'E. Oiler ASHTABULA (A0-51), by aircraft torpedo, 11 d. 03'N., 125 d. 22'E. LST 552, by horizontal bomber, 11 d. 11'N., 125 d. 05'E. LST 695, by underwater explosion, 08 d. 31'N., 128 d. 34'E. Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte Gulf: Battleship MUSASHI, by carrier-based aircraft, Sibuyan Sea, 12 d. 50'N., 122 d. 35'E. Destroyer WAKAHA, by carrier-based aircraft, 11 d. 50'N., 121 d. 25'E. Submarine I-362, by destroyer escort RICHARD M. ROWELL (DD-403), 09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 45'E. 10/25 Wed. Battle for Leyte Gulf (13-16 October) continues. Japanese Southern Force enters Surigao Strait where it is engaged and virtually destroyed by Rear Adm. J. B. Oldendorf's force of battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and motor torpedo boats (Battle of Surigao Strait). Meanwhile, the Japanese Center Force, including 4 battleships and 5 cruisers, having passed into the Philippine Sea during the night, attacks 6 escort carriers and screening vessels commanded by Rear Adm. C. A. F. Sprague (Battle off Samar). After inflicting severe damage on this light United States force, the enemy Center Force retires without molesting the landing operations in the Leyte Gulf area. At the same time, carrier aircraft from Third Fleet (Adm. W. F. Halsey) locate and strike the Japanese Northern Force. Four Japanese carriers and other vessels are sunk (Battle off Gape Engano). Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on east coast of Luzon, P. I. Untied States and Great Britain resume diplomatic relations with Italy. United States naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte Gulf: Escort carrier ST. LO (CVE-63), by suicide plane, 11 d. 10'N., 126 d. 05'E. Escort carrier GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73), by naval gunfire, 11 d. 31'N., 125 d. 12'E. Destroyer HOEL (DD-533), by naval gunfire, 11 d. 46'N,, 126 d. 33'E. Destroyer JOHNSTON (DD-557), by naval gunfire, 11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E. Destroyer escort SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE-413), by naval gunfire, 11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E. PT-493, by coastal defense gun, 10 d. 15'N., 125 d. 23'E. United States naval vessels damaged, Battle for Leyte Gulf: Escort carrier SANGAMON (CVE-26), by suicide plane, 09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 42'E. Escort carrier SUWANEE (CVE-27), by suicide plane, 09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 42'E. Escort carrier SANTEE (CVE-29) by suicide plane and submarine torpedo, 09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 42'E. Escort carrier WHITE PLAINS (CVE-66), by suicide planes and naval gunfire, 11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E. Escort carrier KALININ BAY (CVE-68), by suicide plane, 11 d. 10'N., 126 d. 20'E., and naval gunfire, 11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E. Escort carrier FANSHAW BAY (CVE-70), by naval gunfire, 11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E. Escort carrier KITKUN BAY (CVE-71), by suicide plane, 11 d. 10'N., 126 d. 20'E. Destroyer HEERMAN (DD-523), by naval gunfire, 11 d. 30'N., 126 d. 15'E. Destroyer escort RICHARD M. ROWELL (DE-403), by strafing, 10 d. 05'N., 127 d. 10 E. Destroyer escort DENNIS (DE-405), by naval gunfire, 11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E. Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte Gulf: Carrier ZUIKAKU, by carrier-based aircraft, 19 d. 20'N., 125 d. 51'E. Light carrier CHITOSE, by carrier-based aircraft and surface craft, 19 d. 20'N., 126 20'E. Light carrier CHIYODA, by carrier-based aircraft, 18 d. 37'N., 126 d. 45'E. Light carrier ZUIHO, by carrier-based aircraft, 19 d. 20'N., 125 d. 51'E. Battleships FUSO and YAMASHIRO, by surface craft, 10 d. 25'N., 125 d. 20'E. Heavy cruisers CHIKUMA, CHOKAI and SUZUYA, by carrier-based aircraft, 11 d. 30'N., 126 d. 30'E, Heavy cruiser MOGAMI, by carrier-based aircraft and surface craft, 09 d. 40'N., 124 d. 50'E. Light cruiser TAMA, by carrier-based aircraft and submarine JALLAO (SS-368), 21 d. 23'N., 127 d. 19'E. Destroyers ASAGUMO, MICHISHIO and YAMAGUMO, by surface craft, 10 d. 25'N., 125 d. 20'E. Destroyer AKIZUKI, by submarine HALIBUT (SS-232), 20 d. 29'N., 126 d. 36'E. Destroyer HATSUZUKI, by surface craft, 20 d. 24'N., 126 d. 20'E. 10/26 Thu. Battle for Leyte Gulf (23-26 October) ends as carrier-based and Army aircraft bomb the retiring Japanese ships which have survived the previous days' action. United States naval vessels damaged, Battle for Leyte Gulf. Escort carrier SUWANNEE (CVE-27), by dive bomber and suicide plane, 09 d. 37'N., 126 d. 53'E. PT-131, by dive bomber, 09 d. 00'N., 125 d. 00'E. Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte Gulf: Light cruiser ABUKUMA, by surface craft, 09 d. 20'N., 122 d. 32'E. Light cruiser KINU, by carrier-based aircraft, 11 d. 46'N., 123 d. 11'E. Light cruiser NOSHIRO, by carrier-based aircraft, 11 d. 35'N. 121 d. 45'E. Destroyer HAYASHIMO, by carrier-based aircraft, 19 d. 05'N., 121 d. 50'E. Destroyer NOWAKI, by surface craft, 13 d. 00'N., 124 d. 54'E. Destroyer URANAMI, by carrier-based aircraft, 11 d. 50'N., 123 d. 00'E. 10/27 Fri. Aircraft from two carrier task groups (Rear Adm. F. C. Sherman and Rear Adm. R. E. Davison) attack enemy ships and installations in the Visayas and northern Luzon area, P. I. Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on east coast of Luzon, P. I. United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P. I.: Battleship CALIFORNIA (BB-44), by strafing, 16 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E. Submarine chaser PCER-848, by horizontal bomber, 11 d. 11'N., 125 d. 05'E. PT-523, by dive bomber, 11 d. 15'N., 124 d. 59'E. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyers FUJINAMI and SHIRANUI, by carrier-based aircraft Luzon area, P. I., 12 d. 00'N., 122 d. 30'E. Transport No. 138, by submarine KINGFISH (SS-234), Volcano Islands area, 25 d. 22'N., 141 d. 31'E. 10/28 Sat. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E. Davison) bomb Japanese shipping near Cebu, P. I. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer escort EVERSOLE (DE-404), by submarine torpedo, Leyte area, P. I., 10 d. 18'N., 127 d. 37'E. United States naval vessel damaged: Light cruiser DENVER (CL-58), by suicide plane, Leyte area P. I., 10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E. Japanese submarines sunk, Leyte area, P. I.: I-45, by destroyer escort WHITEHURST (DE-634), 10 d. 10'N., 127 d. 28'E. I-54, by destroyers GRIDLEY (DD-380) and HELM (DD- 388), 10 d. 56'N., 127 d. 13'E. 10/29 Sun. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. G. F. Bogan) strike enemy airfields and shipping in the Manila area, P. I. Naval Operating Base, Leyte, and Naval Air Station, Samar, P. I., are established. United States naval vessel damaged: Carrier INTREPID (CV-11), by suicide plane, Leyte area, 15 d. 07'N., 124 d. 01'E. 10/30 Mon. United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P. I.: Carrier FRANKLIN (CV-13), by suicide plane, 10 d. 20'N., 126 d. 40'E. Light carrier BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), by suicide plant 10 d. 20'N., 126 d. 40'E. 10/31 Tue. Japanese naval vessel sunk: District craft KAIYO NO. 6, by submarine GABILAN (SS-252) off Shikoku, Japan, 32 d. 50 N., 134 d. 21'E.