Battle of Leyte Gulf

A few minutes before 8 am on December 7, 1941, the Japanese Navy, with planes launched from their aircraft carriers, drew the United States into World War II with a surprise air raid on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. As news spread across the states, there was first disbelief and then rage. The country became united. Young men lined up at recruiting offices, and women volunteered to help in whatever way possible. The most costly war in history, in terms lives and resources, was really just beginning.

Three years later, an often talked about Naval battle took place on October 25 in Leyte Gulf off Samar. It was an encounter between the biggest and best of the Japanese Navy and Task Unit Taffy 3 of the United States Navy. They were just 30 miles apart. Until 6:44 am, neither force knew that the other was so close and closing in.

The below text is the official account of Commanding Officer W.V.R. Vieweg of the events of October 25, 1944 at Leyte Gulf.

You can also visit www.bosamar.com by webmaster Robert Cox to learn more about the accounts of this Navy battle.

File
CVE-73/A163
Serial:002

U.S.S. GAMBlER BAY (CVE-73 ) ,
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

27 November 1944

From:               Commanding Officer.
To:                   Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet.
Via:                  (1) Commander Task Unit 77.4.32.
                        (2) Commander Task Unit 77.4.3.
                        (3) Commander Task Group 77.4
                        (4) Commander Task Force 77, (Commander Seventh Fleet).

Subject:             Report of Action of U.S.S. GAMBlER BAY (CVE- 73) ,
                         culminating in its loss 25 October 1944.

References:       (a) U. S. Navy Regulations 1920, Article 712 and 874(6).
                         (b) Cominch ltr. FF1/A12-1/A16-3, Ser. 7152 of 29 October 1943.
                         (c) Pacific Fleet Confidential ltr. 2CL-44.
                         (d) C.T.F. 77 Operation Order 13-44.
                         (e) C.T.G. 77.4 Operation Order 4-44.
                         (f) C.T.U. 77.4.3 Operation Order 1-44.

Enclosure:         (A) Action Report -Parts I to V inclusive. P3
                        (B) Executive Officer's Report on Personnel Performance. P33
                        (C) Casualty Report. P35
                        (D) Aircraft Action Report. P 53

1.     In accordance with references ( a ), ( b ) and ( c ), the report of action of the U.S.S. GAMBlER BAY culminating in its loss on 25 October is submitted herewith as enclosures ( A ) through ( D ) .

2.     Enclosure ( D ) is an aircraft action report reconstructed for the squadron whose present whereabouts is unknown. This is a report of only one particular flight (Objective Combat Air Patrol ---Dawn 24 October) on which enemy planes were encountered, seven of which were destroyed and several damaged. It is anticipated that the remainder of the aircraft action reports , covering the period 20-25 October will be reconstructed and forwarded by VC-lO.

3.     The Commanding Officer desires to pay tribute to the brave officers and men of the task unit screen who calmly and unflinchingly gave their lives to ,defend the carriers in the face of overwhelming odds. We, who survive owe them much.

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4.     The conduct of the Gambier Bay's crew throughout the action and subsequently while adrift in the sea for two days was uniformly excellent and inspiring.

5.     The Tactical leadership of the O. T.C. in the face of a situation fraught with almost certain disaster for the whole Task Unit inspired confidence. From the moment of contact, clear, concise and timely orders were issued by our task unit commander.

W. V. R. VIEWEG

Copy to: Cominch (direct) CinCPnc (2) Com.AirPac.

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Continue to Leyte Gulf - Part 1