Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description In July 1943, following his decision not to attempt to take Rabaul, MacArthur was encouraged by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had discussed the strategy at the Quebec conference, to take the AdmiraltIn July 1943, following his decision not to attempt to take Rabaul, MacArthur was encouraged by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had discussed the strategy at the Quebec conference, to take the Admiralty Islands instead. The group was strategically located, had a superb protected anchorage at Seeadler Harbor, and had ample flat ground for airfields on Los Negros, east of the harbor. Furthermore, by seizing the Admiralties, MacArthur would bypass the large Japanese force at Hansa Bay on the north New Guinea coast. A target date of 1 January 1944 was set, but this was pushed back to 1 April due to the Cape Gloucester landings and a dispute over the appropriate command arrangements: Halsey controlled the Seabee units needed to build up the naval base. The decision to make Halsey responsible for developing the base was not made until 28 February 1944.
Responsibility for the Admiralties assault was assigned to Walter Krueger, who was allocated 1 Cavalry Division (13,600 men under Innis Swift), 592 Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, and 1 Marine Amphibian Tractor Battalion (25.974 men); 73 Wing (RAAF; 2488 men); and 9545 Navy and 7103 Army service troops to build up the base. 1 Cavalry Division had no previous combat experience but was nevertheless considered an elite formation, with a large number of regular officers and men, a proud tradition, and the only square division organization remaining in the U.S. Army. 5 Air Force (Kenney) carried out a bombing campaign in January and early February against both the Admiralties and any nearby airfields that might provide air support for the Japanese on the islands, succeeding in destroying an estimated 80 Japanese aircraft on the ground in the Admiralties in one strike in early February.
On 22 February 1944, a flight of B-25s found no evidence of Japanese forces at Los Negros and Lorengau. The air strip was overgrown and no troops or vehicles were visible. Encouraged by Kenney, who was convinced the Japanese had pulled out of Los Negros ("ripe for the picking"), MacArthur chose to disregard radio intelligence indicating a garrison of four to five thousand troops were still present. He authorized a reconnaissance-in-force, with the intention of converting this into a full-scale assault if resistance proved light: "... a gamble in which I have everything to win, little to lose. I bet ten to win a million, if I hit the jackpot" (quoted in Taaffe 1998). The order went out on 1500 on 25 February 1944 with the target date set at 29 February. Kinkaid had to order the shore patrol to quickly round up the crew of light cruiser Phoenix so that she could sail in time to support the landings, and MacArthur could no longer expect carrier support from Nimitz, who was not expecting the assault on the Admiralties for another month.
Krueger had serious doubts about the assault, as did Swift, who thought at least 2200 men were needed. Krueger increased the landing force from MacArthur's recommendation of 800 men to over 1000 men, the most that could be landed with the available shipping. Krueger also ensured that there would be shipping for a large followup force, which was the key to the operation if the reconnaissance-in-force became a serious invasion attempt. Barbey pulled together a force of destroyers and destroyer transports for the reconnaissance force, assigning his slower LCIs and LSTs to bring in the followup force.
On 27 February 1944 a reconnaissance patrol of six Alamo Scouts was brought in by Catalina and went ashore by rubber raft. At 0645 the lieutenant in charge radioed that he "Could not get to river. Lousy with Japs." He and his men were extracted the next day. However, Kenney doubted the reports from the Scouts, and MacArthur felt it was too late to cancel the operation.
Initial Reconnaissance. Two days later, 2 Squadron, 5 Cavalry Regiment and supporting elements under William C. Chase were landed on Los Negros. The landing beach selected was at Hyane Harbor. It was very narrow and most of the shore was mangrove swamp, but there was a landing leading directly to Momote Airfield. Colonel Ezaki Yoshio, commanding the Japanese garrison, was expecting the attack. Japanese signals intelligence had intercepted U.S. submarine transmissions from south of the Admiralties, and his troops had spotted the Alamo Scouts coming ashore to reconnoiter. However, Ezaki expected the landings to be at Seeadler or southeast Los Negros and his troops were poorly deployed to meet the landings at Hyane Harbor. Although the the American landing craft encountered heavy fire, particularly in the fourth wave, the troopers encountered little resistance once ashore. Air support and naval gunnery in support of the landings were effective and Momote Airfield was seized by 0950. The landings took over four hours to complete, mostly because there was reluctance to hazard the twelve LCPRs available, which would be needed if there was to be an evacuation.
MacArthur, who had accompanied the invasion force aboard Phoenix, went ashore at 1600, awarded a few decorations, and made the decision to convert the reconnaissance-in-force into a full-scale invasion. However, captured documents had indicated that the radio intelligence estimate of the size of the garrison, not the much smaller aerial reconnaissance estimate, was closer to the truth. Chase wisely abandoned the southern half the airstrip in order to tighten his perimeter. A few outposts were set up outside the perimeter while all available 0.50 Browning antiaircraft machine guns were deployed to the perimeter to beef up its firepower. Barbey likewise left two of his destroyers (Bush and Stockton) offshore to provide call fire.
Ezaki had positioned 1/229 Regiment in the area around Hyane Harbor and Momote Airstrip, while 2/1 Independent Mixed Regiment was deployed at Salami Plantation (147.408E 2.017S) northwest of Hyane Harbor and a third battalion was at Lorengau. Ezaki was ordered by Imamura to throw his entire force against the invaders; however, rather than take the time to marshal his full strength, Ezaki ordered 1/229 Regiment to counterattack at once and "annihilate the enemy who have landed. This is not a delaying action. Be resolute to sacrifice your life for the Emperor and commit suicide in case capture is imminent" (quoted by Miller 1959). Ezaki apparently grossly underestimated the size of the landing force, thinking only about 200 Americans had come ashore. The Japanese attack began at dusk on 29 February and fell mostly on the southern part of the American perimeter. Although two Japanese infantrymen penetrated to Chase's command post before being cut down, the attack was badly coordinated and was turned back. Some 66 Japanese corpses were later counted within the perimeter, while American casualties were seven killed and fifteen wounded.
The next day, the Americans received additional supplies by air drop, and Chase sent out patrols that used information from captured documents to pinpoint Japanese strong points. These were bombarded by the American artillery, offshore destroyers, and aircraft from 5 Air Force. That afternoon, a patrol of 17 Japanese led by the battalion commander of 1/229 Regiment, who had infiltrated the American perimeter the previous night, got to within 35 yards (32m) of Chase's command post. The Japanese were driven back with heavy casualties, whereupon the survivors committed suicide.
Additional Landings on Los Negros. On 2 March the second echelon arrived to find the beachhead under heavy fire. An attempt to force the passage to Seeadler Bay northwest of Los Negros was driven back by heavy fire from Japanese coastal guns. The LSTs unloaded at Hyane Harbor as their gunners opened fire with 3" guns and 0.50 machine guns, and B-25s and P-40s from 5 Air Force strafed Japanese positions. Seven hours later the ships finished unloading and pulled out. The newly landed Seabees went immediately to work clearing the taxiway between the beach and the runway and the runway itself. Debris scraped from the runway provided convenient cover for the troopers digging in on the west edge of the runway. "One 53-year-old operator drove his grader the full length of the strip three or four times, drawing sniper fire from the coconut grove. When he came in he said, 'I'm sure glad Mother let me come this time; you know, she wouldn't let me go to the other war!'" (Morison 1950)
That afternoon, the Americans went over to the offensive, seizing the revetments west of the airfield. There was little opposition, and the Americans used their engineering equipment to clear fields of fire in front of the new perimeter. Ezaki had ordered a second counterattack on the night of 2/3 March, but his troops were slow to concentrate, and the attack was postponed to the night of 3/4 March. The attack began at 1900 with 2/1 Independent Regiment moving over a causeway passing from the northern part of Los Negros to the Momote area. Heavy gunfire support from offshore destroyers and minesweepers broke up the this column, and attacks by two smaller Japanese columns were poorly coordinated and were broken up by rifle and machine gun fire as the Japanese infantry tried to make their way through mines and trip wires. The survivors pressed on in an unimaginative frontal assault, making no attempts at stealth and, allegedly, singing and shouting misleading orders in English. Although some of the American positions were overrun, the Japanese were forced to pull back by dawn on 4 March. They had suffered hundreds of casualties, while the Americans lost 61 killed and 244 wounded. Of the American casualties, nine of the dead and 38 of the wounded were Seabees. The Japanese garrison no longer had the strength to mount any further serious counterattacks.
On 4 March 1944, the beachhead was reinforced by 7 Cavalry Regiment. The next day, Swift came ashore and took command of the American invasion force. That afternoon, as the Americans were preparing to attack towards Salami Plantation, the Japanese launched a spoiling attack which was easily beaten off but delayed the start of the American attack until 1630. The attacking squadron, 2/7 Cavalry Regiment, found their advance impeded more by Japanese mines than Japanese troops. On 6 March, 12 Cavalry Regimental Combat Team came ashore to reinforce the drive on Salami Plantation, which was finally seized after an hour-long firefight. On 7 March 2/5 Cavalry Regiment took Papitalai (147.408E 2.053S) in a shore-to-shore movement and 2/12 Cavalry Regiment likewise seized Papitalai Mission (147.397E 2.045S) after a sharp firefight. The next day, 2/7 Cavalry Regiment seized Lombrum Plantation (147.374E 2.041S). All these shore to shore movements were supported by the LVTs of 592 Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment.
By 9 March, the Allies controlled about half of Los Negros and had silenced the Japanese gun positions on the islets north of Seeadler Bay, clearing the way for 2 Cavalry Brigade (Mudge) to come ashore at Salami Plantation. The Americans had suffered casualties of 116 dead and 434 wounded while killing 1288 Japanese. A group of 68 Sikhs from the Indian Army who had surrendered at Singapore and been impressed as labor troops were also discovered and released by the Americans.
The remaining organized Japanese resistance on Los Negros was centered around Hill 260 (147.385E 2.059S). An attack on 11 March was thrown back when the mortars and flamethrowers of 5 Cavalry Regiment lagged behind the assaulting troops. Reinforcements from 12 Cavalry Regiment joined a second assault on 14 March which, with heavy support from artillery and aircraft, took the hill with only light casualties.
Landings on Manus. Responsibility for the assault on Manus was now assigned to 2 Cavalry Brigade. Reconnaissance elements landed on Manus on 11 March 1944 and found the Lorengau area strongly defended. However, there were suitable beaches for landings west of Lugos Mission (147.242E 2.014S) that were almost undefended. Mudge decided to make his main assault here, supported by artillery on the islets of Seeadler Harbor.
The islets were probed on 11 March 1944 by elements of 302 Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop. The Butjo Luo group (147.312E 2.027N) was unoccupied, had suitable sites for artillery, and was well positioned to fire across the front of the advancing American troops. However, Hauei (147.286E 1.962S) was found to be heavily defended, and the reconnaissance patrol withdrew in confusion after taking heavy casualties. The PT boat commander bringing in half of the patrol bugged out after being shot through the ankle, but the LCVP commander bringing in the other half of the patrol was made of sterner stuff. He evacuated the survivors, only to have his boat sunk from under him. The remaining survivors of the patrol and LCVP were spotted in their life jackets by aircraft and rescued a few hours later.
On 12 March, 2/7 Cavalry Regiment returned to Hauei with heavy artillery, naval, and air support, and secured the island the next morning after taking casualties of eight killed and 46 wounded. At least 43 Japanese sailors were killed.
With its supporting artillery sited, 2 Cavalry Brigade was now ready to make its assault. On 15 March the brigade went ashore at Lugos Mission following a heavy bombardment. Japanese roadblocks and a strong Japanese position on a ridge west of Lorengau were reduced with the help of the artillery, and Lorengau airfield was captured on on 17 March. Organized resistance on Manus ended on the 25th. It took until 23 March to reduce the last pocket of Japanese resistance on western Los Negros. The final Japanese strong point, on Pityilu Island (147.225E 1.963S), was heavily bombarded by destroyers and assaulted on 30 March. Although a few hundred Japanese escaped into the interior of Manus, the campaign was effectively over by 3 April 1944, and Krueger declared the campaign officially concluded on 18 May.
Total Allied casualties were 330 killed or missing and 2200 wounded, included 10 Seabees killed and 59 wounded. Japanese casualties were estimated at 4380 killed and 75 taken prisoner. The wild interior of Manus became known as "the Reservation", since inexperienced infantrymen were sent there to hunt Japanese survivors in order to give them some combat experience before deploying further forward.
The Admiralties campaign was a remarkable gamble, with a 1-to-4 ratio of attackers to defenders in its early stages. It succeeded only because of massive Allied air and sea superiority, which prevented the Japanese from shifting troops by barge and left them vulnerable to defeat in detail. MacArthur's reasons for taking such a great risk were complex, but Taaffe (1998) has suggested that MacArthur was motivated at least in part by a desire to upstage Nimitz, who had just conducted a successful campaign in the Marshalls. For MacArthur, what was at stake in the battle was his bid for an offensive along the north coast of New Guinea that would return him to the Philippines. ... More
Description For members of the military who did not receive campaign credit, but still served on active duty in the Pacific Theater, the following “blanket” campaigns are authorized for which the medal is awardedFor members of the military who did not receive campaign credit, but still served on active duty in the Pacific Theater, the following “blanket” campaigns are authorized for which the medal is awarded without service stars.... More
Description The Battle of Wakde (Operation Straight Line) was part of the New Guinea campaign of World War II. It was fought between the United States and Japan from 15 May 1944 to 18 May 1944.
Task Force 77, coThe Battle of Wakde (Operation Straight Line) was part of the New Guinea campaign of World War II. It was fought between the United States and Japan from 15 May 1944 to 18 May 1944.
Task Force 77, commanded by Rear Admiral William Fechteler supported by USS Stockton covered the landing on 17 May 1944 by the 2nd Engineer Special Brigade, Company A, 542nd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, of the 163rd Regimental Combat Team of the 41st Infantry Division.
After a three-day battle the island was declared captured on 18 May. The capture of Wakde cost the Americans 40 killed, and 107 wounded, the Japanese lost 759 killed and 4 captured. ... More
Description The Battle of Biak was part of the New Guinea campaign of World War II, fought between the United States Army and the Japanese Army from 27 May to 17 August 1944. It was part of General Douglas MacArtThe Battle of Biak was part of the New Guinea campaign of World War II, fought between the United States Army and the Japanese Army from 27 May to 17 August 1944. It was part of General Douglas MacArthur's Southwest Pacific command's offensive drive to clear New Guinea in preparation for an invasion of the Philippines. It was the first major effort by the Japanese to allow uncontested landings for the purpose of creating a kill zone inland. ... More
Description The Battle of Sansapor (Operation Globetrotter) was an amphibious landing and subsequent operations around Sansapor, Dutch New Guinea on the Vogelkop Peninsula during World War II.
Admiral William FeThe Battle of Sansapor (Operation Globetrotter) was an amphibious landing and subsequent operations around Sansapor, Dutch New Guinea on the Vogelkop Peninsula during World War II.
Admiral William Fechteler's Attack Force (Task Force 77) was to have a D-Day groupment comprising 11 destroyers, 5 APD's, 16 LCI's, 3 rocket LCI's, 8 LST's, 4 PC's, and 1 ATF. A Covering Force (Task Force 78), consisting of 1 heavy cruiser, 2 light cruisers,and 9 destroyers under the command of Admiral Russell Berkey, was to be available for support fire if needed.
In preparation for Operation Typhoon (code name for the US Army landings on the Vogelkop Peninsula), on June 17, 1944, S-47, under Lieutenant Lloyd V. Young, sailed from the Admiralty Islands for Waigeo, with the mission to insert elements of the Alamo Scouts, Allied Intelligence Bureau agents, terrain experts of the Fifth Air Force, and hydrographic survey men of the VII Amphibious Force. The reconnaissance force landed near Sausapor-Mar on June 23 where the party spent the week surveying the region. As a result of the both ground and aerial reconnaissance the assault landing was diverted to land 55 miles (89 km) northeast of Sorong.
On June 30, 1944 Operation Typhoon landed at Sansapar (Green Beach), Mar (Red Beach), Middelburg Island and Amsterdam Island. In charge of the Operation Typhoon ground forces was Major General Franklin C. Sibert, commanding general of the 6th Infantry Division. General Sibert was to command an organization designated the TYPHOON Task Force, which comprised the 6th Division (Reinforced), less the 20th Regimental Combat Team. Combat units for the D-Day echelon of the TYPHOON Task Force were the 1st Infantry Regiment, the 1st Battalion, 63d Infantry Regiment, the 1st Field Artillery Battalion, the 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, a company of the 6th Engineers, and four antiaircraft batteries. All of the landings ultimately proved to be unopposed and it was not until August 16th that elements of the Japanese 35th Division were able to reach the area of the landings. By 31 August the 1-63rd Infantry had killed 155 Japanese and taken 42 prisoners. The American regiment lost only 3 men killed and 4 wounded. The 1st Infantry, on the west flank, killed 197 Japanese and captured 154, while losing only 4 men wounded itself. The 6th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, during its series of far flung patrols, killed 42 Japanese and captured 5 others. Total battle casualties for the TYPHOON Task Force from 30 July through 31 August were 14 killed, 35 wounded, and 9 injured. Japanese losses during the same period were estimated to be 385 killed and 215 captured.
Eventually, the runway for fighter aircraft was built on Middleburg Island and for bombers near Mar to the northeast (the landing strip is still visible to this day), although the control of Sausapor was vital for the security of the base to launch the campaign and remained an air warning radar station. Ships patrolled this area of the coastline throughout the month long campaign, keeping the Japanese at bay. Operation Globetrotter ended on August 31 and General MacArthur's last point of landing on the way back to the Philippines was at Sausapor. Cape Opmarai Airfield is now a nearby, disused airfield.
On 31 July, shore-to shore landings from Cape Opmarai were carried out at Sansapor. The Japanese garrison at Manokwari was cut off and attempted to retreat to Sorong.... More
Description The Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, was fought between the United States and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater of World War II, from September–November 1944 on the islandThe Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, was fought between the United States and the Empire of Japan in the Pacific Theater of World War II, from September–November 1944 on the island of Peleliu, present-day Palau. U.S. Marines of the First Marine Division and later soldiers of the U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division, fought to capture an airstrip on the small coral island. This battle was part of a larger offensive campaign known as Operation Forager which ran from June–November 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Major General William Rupertus, USMC—commander of 1st Marine Division—predicted the island would be secured within four days. However, due to Japan's well-crafted fortifications and stiff resistance, the battle lasted over two months. In the United States, it was a controversial battle because of the island's questionable strategic value and the high casualty rate, which exceeded all other amphibious operations during the Pacific War. The National Museum of the Marine Corps called it "the bitterest battle of the war for the Marines".... More
Description The Battle of Angaur was a battle of the Pacific campaign in World War II, fought on the island of Angaur in the Palau Islands from 17 September—22 October 1944. This battle was part of a larger offenThe Battle of Angaur was a battle of the Pacific campaign in World War II, fought on the island of Angaur in the Palau Islands from 17 September—22 October 1944. This battle was part of a larger offensive campaign known as Operation Forager which ran from June 1944 to November 1944 in the Pacific Theater of Operations, and Operation Stalemate II in particular.
Bombardment of Angaur by the battleship Tennessee, four cruisers, and forty Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers from the aircraft carrier Wasp began on 11 September 1944. Six days later on 17 September, the U.S. 81st Infantry Division—commanded by Major General Paul J. Mueller—landed on the northeast and southeast coasts. Both RCTs were counterattacked during the night. Both RCTs linked up the next day. By the end of the third day, 19 Sept., the main area of Japanese resistance was to the northeast around Romauldo Hill, so the 323rd RCT was sent to Ulithi.
Resistance stiffened as the Americans advanced on "the Bowl", a hill near Lake Salome in the northwest of the island where the Japanese planned to make their last stand, after the rest of Angaur and Saipan town were taken. There was another small position where the Japanese had about 400 soldiers in a defense at the southeast corner of the island, around Beach Green, that was neutralized on September 20 after 2 days of harsh fighting and about 300 U.S. casualties.
From 20 September, the 322nd Infantry Regiment repeatedly attacked the Bowl, but the 750 defenders repulsed them with artillery, mortars, grenades and machine guns. Gradually, hunger, thirst, and American shellfire and bombing took their toll on the Japanese, and by 25 September the Americans had penetrated the Bowl. Rather than fight for possession of the caves, they used bulldozers to seal the entrances. By 30 September, the island was said to be secure although the Japanese still had about 300 more soldiers in the Bowl and surrounding areas that held out for almost four more weeks. Toward the end of the first week of October, 1944, the protracted conflict had degenerated into minor patrol action with sniping, ambushing, and extensive booby-trapping employed by both sides.
The island's defense commander, Major Goto was killed on 19 October fighting to keep possession of a cave.[1]:70–71 The last day of fighting was October 22 with a total of 36 days of fighting and blasting the Japanese resistance from their caves with explosives, tanks, artillery and flamethrowers. The 81 Infantry Division had finally taken the whole of Angaur, albeit suffering more casualties than they had inflicted.... More
Description The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the Battles for Leyte Gulf, and formerly known as the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the Battles for Leyte Gulf, and formerly known as the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea, is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.
It was fought in waters near the Philippine islands of Leyte, Samar and Luzon from 23–26 October 1944, between combined US and Australian forces and the Imperial Japanese Navy. On 20 October, United States troops invaded the island of Leyte as part of a strategy aimed at isolating Japan from the countries it had occupied in Southeast Asia, and in particular depriving its forces and industry of vital oil supplies. The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) mobilized nearly all of its remaining major naval vessels in an attempt to defeat the Allied invasion, but was repulsed by the US Navy's 3rd and 7th Fleets. The IJN failed to achieve its objective, suffered very heavy losses, and never afterwards sailed to battle in comparable force. The majority of its surviving heavy ships, deprived of fuel, remained in their bases for the rest of the Pacific War.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf consisted of four separate engagements between the opposing forces: the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, the Battle of Surigao Strait, the Battle of Cape Engaño and the Battle off Samar, as well as other actions.
It was the first battle in which Japanese aircraft carried out organized kamikaze attacks. By the time of the battle, Japan had fewer aircraft than the Allied forces had sea vessels, demonstrating the difference in power of the two sides at this point of the war. ... More
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Santa Cruz or in Japanese sources as the Battle of the South Pacific, was the fourth carrier battle of theThe Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942, sometimes referred to as the Battle of Santa Cruz or in Japanese sources as the Battle of the South Pacific, was the fourth carrier battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II and the fourth major naval engagement fought between the United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy during the lengthy and strategically important Guadalcanal campaign. In similar fashion to the battles of Coral Sea, Midway, and the Eastern Solomons, the ships of the two adversaries were rarely in direct visual range of each other. Instead, almost all attacks by both sides were mounted by carrier or land-based aircraft.
In an attempt to drive Allied forces from Guadalcanal and nearby islands and end the stalemate that had existed since September 1942, the Imperial Japanese Army planned a major ground offensive on Guadalcanal for 20–25 October 1942. In support of this offensive, and with the hope of engaging Allied naval forces, Japanese carriers and other large warships moved into a position near the southern Solomon Islands. From this location, the Japanese naval forces hoped to engage and decisively defeat any Allied (primarily U.S.) naval forces, especially carrier forces, that responded to the ground offensive. Allied naval forces also hoped to meet the Japanese naval forces in battle, with the same objectives of breaking the stalemate and decisively defeating their adversary.
The Japanese ground offensive on Guadalcanal was under way in the Battle for Henderson Field while the naval warships and aircraft from the two adversaries confronted each other on the morning of 26 October 1942, just north of the Santa Cruz Islands. After an exchange of carrier air attacks, Allied surface ships were forced to retreat from the battle area with one carrier sunk and another heavily damaged. The participating Japanese carrier forces, however, also retired because of high aircraft and aircrew losses plus significant damage to two carriers. Although a tactical victory for the Japanese in terms of ships sunk and damaged, the loss of many irreplaceable, veteran aircrews would prove to be a long term strategic advantage for the Allies, whose aircrew losses in the battle were relatively low and could be quickly replaced. The high cost of the battle for the Japanese prevented their carrier forces from further significant involvement in the Guadalcanal campaign.... More
Criteria The American Defense Service Medal was awarded for service in the Armed Forces between September 8, 1939, and December 7, 1941. Army members had to serve 12 months to be eligible, but Navy and Marine ... The American Defense Service Medal was awarded for service in the Armed Forces between September 8, 1939, and December 7, 1941. Army members had to serve 12 months to be eligible, but Navy and Marine Corps members were eligible based on any length of service. MoreHide
