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
Maggie, Rob from Pundit Review here...I read a great book about the Battle of Leyte Gulf...it's called "Sea Of Thunder", by Evan Thomas. Yeah, he's the Newsweek weenie, but it's a really good read. By the way, you're welcomed on the show any time
ReplyDeleteRob! Welcome to the blog!
ReplyDeleteI have "Sea of Thunder" but I put it down to read "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors". When I finish that, I am going back to "Sea of Thunder"
Thank you for the kind words. I had lots of fun both times.
Now I have to really get going on blogging. You've made me realize how far behind I am!