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She joined TF 38 for the strikes against Luzon (15 October), which preceded the Leyte landings.
At 0007, 15 October, BOSTON took HOUSTON in tow and BOYD with COWELL formed screen about them. At noon the group joined group towing CANBERRA and formed Task Unit 30.3.1 designated as "Streamlined Bait Unit" by Admiral Halsey.
The HOUSTON, still miraculously afloat, and the CANBERRA were taken in tow and we limped slowly back toward port with the Jap planes pecking at us night and day. While on the long, slow voyage home to Ulithi, we got another and bigger scare. We were told, that if an expected Jap surface raid which was supposed to be on its way down to stymie our landing in the Philippines, were to come off, we, "us cripples", were to go out and head them off. Halsey, later, referred to us good naturedly as "streamlined bait", and even though it didn't pan out, we didn't see anything funny.
From the ship log of the USS BOSTON (CA-69): "Luzon raids (15 and 24-26 October, 13-14 and 19-20 November, and 14-16 December)."
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10-16-44 Jap fleet 200 miles away. We are so called bait. This afternoon we had an air attack. Planes were from carriers. HUSTON took another fish. Shot 8 planes down. Took more men of the HUSTON. We are only 280 miles of Formosa making gook 3 (three) knots. We broke radio silence to tell of air attack and HUSTON. We checked our torpedoes. Expect to intercept any Jap ships who are headed for us. This is a slim chance.
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On 16 October BOYD transferred half of recovered personnel to BIRMINGHAM and was in process of delivering remainder to MOBILE when interrupted by enemy air attacks during which HOUSTON was again hit by an aerial torpedo.
From the ship's log of the USS BIRMINGHAM (CL-62): "BIRMINGHAM then served with TF 38 during the Okinawa raid (10 October); northern Luzon and Formosa raids (15 and 18-19 October)."
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.
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10-17-44 Well they didn't show up. Admiral Hawsley said we were safe now. We were the streamlined bait so he told us. There were 2 crippled cruisers the BOSTON and about 7 cans and a CVE.
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Final transfer was accomplished on afternoon of 17 October to MOBILE and Task Unit proceeded at the slow average speed of 4 knots toward Ulithi.
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10-18-44 Well were with HUSTON and CANBERRA and 4 cans still 380 miles of Formosa 270 from Luzon.
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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.
Fleeing Toward Foe, Halsey Tells Nimitz
The New York Times, Friday, October 20, 1944
By The United Press.
PEARL HARBOR, Oct. 19 -- Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, said today:
"I have received from Admiral Halsey the comforting assurance that he is now retiring toward the enemy following the salvage of all the Third Fleet ships recently reported sunk by radio Tokyo."
***
NAVY & MARINE CORPS WORLD WAR II COMMEMORATIVE COMMITTEE
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Battle for Leyte Gulf (Oct. 23-26, 1944)
This battle actually included four decisive naval actions: that of the Sibuyan Sea, Oct. 24; the Battle of Surigao Strait,Oct. 24-25; the Battle off Samar, Oct. 25; and the Battle offCape Engano, Oct. 25-26.
Of particular note: at Surigao Strait, U.S. ships, in a faultless display of a classic battle line tactic, "crossed the T" of the approaching enemy column. Only one Japanese destroyer and one damaged cruiser escaped the blazing guns of West Virginia, Tennessee and California, backed by Maryland, Pennsylvania and Mississippi (the latter the only battleship of the six not a Pearl Harbor veteran). Surigao Strait was the last battle in which the line-of-battle tactics that had marked three centuries of naval warfare were used.
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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.
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10-24-44 Left cruisers. Joined 38.1.
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She took part in the Battle for Leyte Gulf (24-25 October).
On 24 October BOYD joined with Task Group 38.1 which was then heading towards Ulithi but which later the same day reversed course and steamed for the Philippines to assist our forces there which had made contact with the Japanese Fleet.
On October 24th we switched over to another outfit that was heading for Ulithi but that same afternoon reversed our course and raced for the Philippines to assist the 7th Fleet who had made contact with a large Jap surface force. Planes from our group took off and hit enemy ships which had by that time advanced through San Bernardino Strait. Before we could get in much closer, the Jap Fleet had been practically blasted out of the sea.
Task Group One,
TG38.1 as of dawn 24 October 1944 consisted of 3 Fleet Carriers, 2 Light Fleet Carriers, 4 Heavy Cruisers, 2 Anti-aircraft Light Cruisers, 14 Destroyers:
CV18 Wasp (Capt. O.A. Weller) Air Group 14 (Cdr W.C. Wingard) 43VF, 28VB, 18VT
CV12 Hornet (Capt. A.K. Doyle) Air Group 11 (Cdr F.R. Schraber) 40VF, 25VB, 18VT
CV19 Hancock (Capt. F.C. Dickey) Air Group 7 (Cdr J.D. Lamade) 41VF, 42VB, 18VT
CVL25 Cowpens (Captain H.W. Taylor) Air Group
22 (Lt. Cdr T.H. Jenkins) USNR26VF, 9VT
CVL26 Monterey (Captain S.H. Ingersoll)
Air Group 28 (Lt. Cdr R.W. Mehle) 23VF, 9VT
CA69 Boston (Captain E.E. Herrmann)
CA27 Chester (Captain Henry Hartley)
CA25 Salt Lake City (Captain L.W. Busbey)
CA24 Pensacola (Captain A.P. Mullinix)
CL95 Oakland (Captain K.S. Reed) Anti-aircraft light cruiser
CL53 San Diego (Captain W.E. Mullan) Anti-aircraft light cruiser
DD589 Izard
DD581 Charrette
DD582 Conner
DD587 Bell
DD588 Burns
DD651 Cogswell
DD650 Caperton
DD652 Ingersoll
DD544 Boyd
DD547 Cowell
DD488 McCalla
DD435 Grayson
DD546 Brown
DD460 Woodworth
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.
Planes from 38.1 hit enemy ships which had advanced through San Bernardino Strait. Targets were hit in Central Philippines and then the Task Group headed for Ulithi.
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. 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.
U.S. PLANES ATTACK 2 BIG JAPANESE FLEETS; SHOWDOWN BATTLE LIKELY IN PHILIPPINES
The New York Times, Wednesday, October 25, 1944
HALSEY MEETS FOE
Airmen Leap to Strike Columns of Ships Seen Lured to Leyte
CRISIS MAY BE NEAR
Nimitz Aide Hints at Epic Moment -- Fleets Clash, Tokyo Says
The New York Times, Wednesday, October 25, 1944
By GEORGE HORNE
By Telephone to THE NEW YORK TIMES.
PEARL HARBOR, Oct. 24 -- Japanese Navy forces have been sighted and attacked by carrier planes of the Third Fleet in the Philippines.
The enemy forces, apparently in strength, were moving eastward yesterday through the Sibuyan Sea and the Sulu Sea, apparently bearing on the east central Philippines area around Leyte, where American amphibious forces are operating.
They appear to be in two groups, judging from the wording of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz's communique, issued at 1 P. M. (6:30 P. M., New York time). The admiral said the enemy forces were attacked by Third Fleet aircraft, but that no further details were now available.
Historic Test Shaping
The "big" battle may already be in progress. If so, it will be the most important test of naval strength since the war began.
Vice Admiral John H. Towers, in a Rotary Club speech today in advance of Navy Day, said the fleet "right now" might be at grips with the enemy in a battle of major importance somewhere in the Philippines. [The deputy Commander in Chief of the Pacific fleet was quoted by The United Press as having said, "We have every reason to believe" that "the critical moment in our history is this moment."]
[Japanese headquarters issued a communique early Wednesday announcing that Japanese and American warships had clashed "east of the Philippines." It claimed eleven American ships had been sunk. The communique was recorded by the Federal Communications Commision.
[Among United States ships claimed sunk in the communique were four aircraft carriers, two cruisers, one destroyer and "more than four" transports.]
Again strong carrier surface forces, this time under the command of Admiral William F. Halsey, are within striking distance of powerful enemy forces. Once more
Continued on Page 4, Column 6
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War News Summarized
The New York Times, Wednesday, October 25, 1944
Japanese naval forces spotted steaming east through the Sibuyan and Sulu Seas toward Leyte were under attack by carrier planes of the Third Pacific Fleet, and a gigantic sea-air battle was believed to be in progress. There were battleships and cruisers in at least two forces reported by Admiral Nimitz. No mention was made of Japanese carriers, but they may appear later or the enemy may be counting on support from those landbased planes in the Philippines that escaped the aerial poundings of the past weeks. Early today Tokyo said two Japanese cruisers and a destroyer had been sunk in a fierce battle east of the Philippines and that at least eleven American ships, including four carriers, had been sunk.
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.
U.S. DEFEATS JAPANESE NAVY; ALL FOE'S SHIPS IN ONE FLEET HIT; MANY SUNK; BATTLE CONTINUES
The New York Times, Thursday, October 26, 1944
PRESIDENT ELATED
Gives News From Halsey That Foe Is 'Defeated, Damaged, Routed'
TEST IS ON, KING SAYS
Practically All Japanese Fleet in the Battle, Admiral Believes
The New York Times, Thursday, October 26, 1944
By LEWIS WOOD
Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 -- President Roosevelt exultantly announced late today the receipt of a report from Admiral William F. Halsey saying that the Japanese Navy in the Philippines area had been "defeated, seriously damaged and routed" by our forces.
Two hours earlier Admiral Ernest J. King, Commander in Chief of the United States Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations, had disclosed that virtually all of the long elusive Japanese Fleet had been engaged at last in the furious sea battle of the Philippines.
These two startling revelations, exciting Washington as nothing has done since the European invasions, were taken here to mean that the vaunted Japanese naval power had been seriously crippled and the road to Tokyo made much easier. At last, it was presumed, the principal part of Japanese naval strength had been nettled out of hiding and then decisively beaten.
Announcement Is Dramatic
The circumstances of the President's statement were thrilling. When only a half dozen newsmen remained in the White House press room at 5:20 P. M., Press Secretary Stephan T. Early appeared at the door.
"Come quick," he cried, slapping his palms together for emphasis.
Rushing to the President's oval-shaped office, the reporters found him seated at his desk, smiling broadly. Obviously he had been interrupted in his late afternoon dictation. Before him lay scattered papers, but directly in front of him was a single sheet of paper, inscribed apparently with his own handwriting.
He had, said the President beamingly, a "real flash," just telephoned to him by Admiral William D. Leahy, Chief of Staff to the President as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy. Picking up the paper, Mr. Roosevelt slowly and distinctly read:
"The President received today a report from Admiral Halsey that the Japanese Navy in the Philippine area has been defeated, seriously damaged and routed by the United States Navy in that area."
For a moment there was a pause. No one said a word. Then
Continued on Page 3, Column 3
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War News Summarized
The New York Times, Thursday, October 26, 1944
The Japanese Navy came out to fight in the waters off the Philippines and was severely mauled. One force of four battleships, ten cruisers and thirteen destroyers moved up south of Mindoro into the Sibuyan Sea. Every battleship and at least one cruiser was hit. This flotilla rounded Samar and fled north. We lost an escort carrier.
A second force of two battleships, two cruisers and four destroyers came into the Sulu Sea from the southwest of Negros Island. After all the ships had been hit it turned tail and retreated.
A third force, this one with carriers, came down from home waters and the battle was still going on. Most of the engagements were fought from the air and the enemy suffered heavily in plane losses. Our light carrier Princeton was hit and its magazine subsequently exploded. Most of the crew were saved. the Third Pacific Fleet took on the enemy carrier force and the Seventh turned back the two others.
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