Leyte Gulf (CG 55) - Naval Cruise Book

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LEYTE GULF BATTLE HISTORY The Battle of Leyte Gulf 22-26 October 1944 LEYTE GULF commemorates the largest naval battle in modern history, fought 23-26 October 1944 in the Philippines, virtually ending the Japanese Navy ' s capacity to fight as an organized force. The battle marked the end of centuries of naval warfare tradition in that is was the last sea bat- tle between forces employing battleships. It also marked the last time surface ships employed the classic maneuver of crossing the T, when the Japanese ships attempted to enter the Gulf through Surigao Strait early on 23 October. The battle was showcased by three separate primary engagements. The Battle of Surigao Straits, the Battle off Samar Island, and the Battle of Cape Engano. Called the last of the great sea battles, the Battle of Leyte Gulf used every known weapon of naval war, except mines, and in sheer destruction the battle has no rival in naval history. The battle was noteworthy in another sense in that it saw the first attacks by Kamikaze planes, when, on 25 October, five planes swooped down upon escort carriers on the U.S. Seventh Fleet. The kamikazes might justifiably be considered the forerunners of modern cruise missiles and, therefore, form the historical rationale for anti-air missile systems. Thus, the genesis of the AEGIS Weapon System has its root in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. No previous U.S. Navy ship has borne this name although three prior Navy ships carried the name LEYTE to sea.

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USSLEYTEGULR MED 1-93 7 OCT 92-7 APR 93

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SHIP ' S COAT OF ARMS The diving wings with trailing flames represent the Kamikazes which first appeared in the Bat- tle of Leyte Gulf and which were the forerunners of the anti-ship missiles against which the AE- GIS system was designed. The crossed Big Guns represent the battleships which at the Battle of Leyte Gulf culminated centuries of naval tradition in the last battle at sea of great ships of the line. The red and white rays allude to the WW II Japanese Naval Ensign descending into the wavy blue bar of the sea as the Battle of Leyte Gulf destroyed the Japanese Navy as a coherent fighting force. The tropical location of the battle is symbolized by the palm wreath which is also symbolic of victory. The blue, white and gold colors on the shield are traditionally associated with the Navy and are symbolic of the sea and excellence. The anchors combined with the sword represent naval sea power, plus the sword crossing the taut anchor line alludes to the classic naval battle maneuver called crossing the ' T ' last used in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The upright position of the sword also refers to the vertical launching missile system in CG 55. The red wavy bar is in memory of the gallant men who went down in a blood red sea at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The three stars represent the three component Battles of Leyte Gulf — Surigao Straits, Samar, and Cape Engano. The motto Arrayed for Victory refers to the full array of sea power that fought the Battle of Leyte Gulf. It also alludes to the phased array radar in the AEGIS system and towed sonar system LEYTE GULF deploys against submarines.