Leyte (CV 32) - Naval Cruise Book

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JANUARY I9th, 1951 Orders to be detached from Task Force 77 received- Last plane aboard at 11:45 A.M CAG-3,5 LSO,s give the last cut, And 'W A head for home

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Captain Sisson receiving the Legion of Merit G Admiral Struble comes aboard ON THE day of our departure from Task Force 77, Vice Admiral Arthur D. Struble, USN, Commander of the Seventh Fleet, came aboard to bid us goodbye and to present Captain Sisson with the Legion of Merit, in recognition of the services performed in 'Gan outstanding mannerv by his ship. In his address, the admiral said, HWe are deeply appreciative of the outstanding battle record of the Leyte. I know of no ship which deserves more to return to the United States for a well and hard-earned rest. God bless you and good speed-well done. After lunch Admiral Struble departed and shortly afterward, we were on our way-at a very good speed indeed. reeting the Department heads

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RECORD OF PACIFIC OPERATIONS Miles flown Total landings Sorties made in Pacific. Sorties made in Korean Theater Total hours flown in Korean area Total hours over target. Miles steamed last year Miles steamed in Korean area Miles steamed from Beirut to operations area Days operating in Korean area Number consecutive op days General statement of activities: 2,406,000 miles Now over 30,000-Air Group -3 has 7,708 4,536 I 3,933 10,933 2,513 86,000 f79,500 in 19501 47,676 18,500-with a point to point average of 23 knots 92 of 108 days in Korean area spent underway fhave spent 2 of last 19 months in Statesj 52 Supported October east coast advance and Wonsan landings Assault against enemy supply lines and destruction of Yalu River bridges and close support of troops who advanced to Hyesanjin on the Manchurian border ' Support of Marines at the Chosin Reservoir Support of Hungnam evacuation Close support in Central Korea enabling UN troops to hold then begin their latest advance. LEYTE planes involved in attack in which 2,200 of 3,000 Communists killed in one locale. ' Damage inflicted by LEYTE strike groups: Destroyed Damaged Military buildings 894 325 Military vehicles 184 177 Railroad cars 93 199 Vessels 93 34 Supply depots 27 14 Highway bridges 12 19 Railroad bridges 7 20 Locomotives 16 21 Field pieces 8 6' Aircraft 1 1 Electric power plant 1 0 RR turntable 1 1 In addition: 130 horses fused by enemy for carrying suppliesj killed 3 pack oxen ,killed 2 pack camels killed h ,2 artillery observation posts damaged 4 mortar and 4 machine gun emplacements destroyed also many AA positions 1 landslide caused to block road 3 tunnel entrances partially blocked estimated over 10,000 enemy casualties