Battle of Leyte Gulf

The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also known as the Second Battle of the Philippine sea, is considered to be the largest naval battle lf World War II, and possibly the largest naval battle in history.

US and Australian armies combined against the Imperial Japanese Navy in the waters near the islands of Leyte and Samar from 23rd-26th of October 1944, with the ultimate goal of isolating Japan from other Asian countries they had occupied.

Notable battles include Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, Battle of Surigao Strait, Battle off Cape Engano, and the Battle off Samar.

The following is a first hand account by Archie Wallace Killough, a Captain aboard the USS Samuel B Roberts in the San Bernardino Straight:

" On October 25, 1944 just after the landing on Leyte Island, my ship the Samuel B. Roberts was in a group of ships consisting of about six aircraft carriers, about eight destroyers and destroyer escorts.

 General Quarters were sounded on this day at 0600 and secured at 0640.  Men who were not on watch were called to the upper deck to watch a force of ships in the distant horizon.  Because of low clouds and mist we were unable to identify them. We believed them to be Jap.  Our belief was confirmed when shells began to fall around us.  It was just five minutes after securing when General Quarters again sounded at 0645.

 The force attacking us was four Jap battleships, eight heavy cruisers, and a large number of destroyers.  Knowing it impossible to encounter such a force we tried to escape with as many ships as possible.  This started a battle that continued for about two and one half-hours.

 Two destroyers and the destroyer escort, Samuel B, Roberts, were given the task of first laying a smoke screen for the fleeing ships and then turn and make an almost suicide torpedo run into the Jap force.  By zigzagging we were able to keep from being hit by enemy torpedoes.  We released our torpedoes making some damage to the enemy.  Finally their shells found their mark.  First, Gun 2 AFT, was hit killing all but three of a crew of twenty-seven.  Gun 42 was shot completely off the ship, killing all of its crew.  Then we were hit severely on the port side amid ships aft.  Lower handling room on Gun 1 was hit.  A shell passed through Chiefs Quarters then upper handling room on Gun 1.  This was my battle station and I was blown against a bulkhead causing injury to my right knee.  My knee gave me considerable pain.  Water was pouring into the lower handling room endangering the crew in the upper handling room.  With the help of another sailor we dogged the hatches between the two compartments.

 Abandon ship was given, as the ship was certain of going down.  I climbed topside and was making for the side when shellfire tore my life belt nearly off.  Reserve belts were kept in Gun 4 so I went there but found none.  Remembering that a small belt had been made for our mascot dog and kept in the forecastle I made for there.  The belt was there; I slipped it over one arm and jumped over portside.

 Water rushing into a large hole in the side of the ship was drawing me towards the hole.  I fought hard and finally pulled way.

 The closest life raft was a considerable distance out.  It was also the one I was assigned to.  I swam for it but was tiring.  Noticing a large wooden block, I made for it.  A shell hit nearby forcing me underwater.  Coming up I again tried to make for the life raft.  A short distance from the raft, there was a terrific explosion.  It felt as though I were being torn apart.  I turned to see the stem of the ship rise straight in the air.  A Jap cruiser pulled towards it and shelled it some more and it soon settled.  The cruiser then came for us.  Just then two Hellcats over strafed the cruiser causing it to turn and run.  A number of our planes then encountered a number of Jap planes, which approached the scene.  I saw one Jap plane go down.

The water all around was heavily covered with oil.  The oil was also all over my body.  My eyes were swelled nearly closed and the pain in my leg was terrible.  Hanging onto the life raft I heard someone yelling.  About one hundred fifty yards out was a radio technician second class suffering from exhaustion and out of his head.  I swam out and brought him to within a few feet of the raft.  Exhausted and in pain I asked for help and two sailors came to our aid.

After spending fifty-two hours in the water we were rescued by PC623.  We were about dead when they picked us up.  One sailor died just as he was to be taken aboard.  Shortly after being taken aboard we were attacked by Jap aircraft but no damage was inflicted.  We were taken to Leyte Island and transferred several times to different ships on our way to New Guinea.  Aboard one ship I hap shrapnel taken from my hand and both legs.  I am mighty thankful to be alive."