Combat· World War II
Philippines Liberation
The liberation of the Philippines, beginning with the Leyte landing on 20 October 1944, was overwhelmingly an Army campaign, but Marines played a significant supporting role in two arms: aviation and artillery.
Marine dive-bomber and fighter squadrons flew close air support, convoy cover, and interdiction missions across Leyte, Luzon, and the southern islands, while the V Amphibious Corps Artillery brought its heavy guns ashore on Leyte. Over the campaign the Marine air effort grew to eighteen squadrons in constant action, flying more than 20,000 sorties. The Philippines proved a watershed for Marine aviation, where a previously sketchy doctrine of close air support was refined and validated in combat. Because the Marine role was supporting rather than a ground assault, no consolidated Marine casualty total exists for the campaign.
Engagements in this conflict (3) Podcast episodes on World War II
Record no. 578