On 17 October 1944, troops of the United States Sixth Army under the direct command of Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, invaded the Philippine island of Leyte. This operation was the beginning of General Douglas MacArthur's fulfillment of his promise in March 1942 to the Filipino people that he would liberate them from Japanese rule.
MacArthur's formal title was Supreme Commander, Allied Forces, Southwest Pacific Area. The amphibious landings were carried out and supported by the United States Seventh Fleet, including 1 British and 11 Australian ships, under the direction of Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid.
Seventh Fleet
In case the Imperial Japanese Navy interfered, additional air cover was provided by the fast carriers of the US Third Fleet under the command of Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr..
Third Fleet
Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid in amphibious command ship Wasatch
Vice Admiral Kinkaid
Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey
Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague
Commander W.R. Loud
Lt. Commander C.C. Morgan, USNR
Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey in amphibious command ship Blue Ridge
Embarking X Army Corps under Maj. Gen. Franklin C. Sibert
Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson in amphibious command ship Mount Olympus
Embarking XXIV Army Corps under Lieut. Gen. John R. Hodge
Rear Admiral R.O. Glover
Admiral William F. Halsey in fast battleship New Jersey
Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher in fleet carrier Lexington
Vice Admiral John S. McCain Sr.[g]
Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan
Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman
Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison