National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Battle off Cape Engano:  October 25, 1944

The Battle of Leyte Gulf continued with the Battle of Cape Engano on October 25, 1944.  Third Fleet carrier aircraft, surface ships, and submarines led by Admiral William F. Halsey, USN, attacked the Japanese Main Fore of the Mobile Force, ledy by Vice Jisaburo Ozawa, off northeastern Luzon.  Halsey delegated the command of the forces to Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, USN, onboard USS Lexington (CV-16) and commanded Task Force 38.  This force was broken down into three subdivisions.  Combined, the divisions had these vessels: five-fleet carriers, five light carriers, six battleships, eight light cruisers, and forty-one destroyers.   Due to the lack of enemy planes to provide protection, the Japanese lost aircraft carriers Zuikaku, Zuiho, Chitose, and Chiyoda, along with light cruisers and destroyers.   Of note, Zuikaku was the last carrier of the six which attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.   At this point, the Japanese began their retreat. 

Image:  NH 63441:  Battle off Cape Engano, October 25, 1944.  Japanese carrier Zuiho in action.  U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.