October 20-27, 1944

Task Force 38 regrouped at the Philippines for air strikes and troop landings on Leyte Island on October 20. The Japanese sent surface forces to retaliate and, without a rest, the Mobile found herself in the middle of the week-long Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Enemy air attacks were constant, with approximately 150 planes reported. The Mobile was in Task Group 38.3 which also included the light carrier Princeton. On October 24, one lone Judy dropped a bomb on the Princeton's flight deck, port side (photo). The bomb passed through three decks and exploded in the ship's bakeshop. Gasoline from the hangar deck ignited, setting off the torpedoes stored on the airplanes. Orders were given for all but the fire-fighting crews to abandon ship. Many sailors simply jumped or slid down the lines into the water and tried to swim against the rough seas to a destroyer that came alongside. Many of those who managed to grab the cargo nets hanging from the side of the destroyer were knocked back down by stronger men climbing over them.

When the Birmingham, one of Mobile's sister ships, came alongside to help fight the Princeton's fires, a huge explosion on the latter sent steel debris down on the Birmingham, causing horrendous casualties. Many were burned and decapitated. The Birmingham was sent back to the West Coast for repairs. The Princeton, which couldn't be saved, was abandoned, then torpedoed and sent to the bottom.

The next day the Mobile was sent to Cape Engano, the northernmost cape on Philippine island of Luzon, with orders to search for and destroy all crippled enemy vessels. When they arrived, the Imperial light carrier Chiyoda was dead in the water. Several Japanese destroyers, including the Hatsuzuki, were attempting to rescue survivors.

The American force stopped the rescue effort by sending the Chiyoda to the bottom with her entire crew of 1470 men. The other Japanese destroyers fled, but the cruiser group pursued the Hatsuzuki until after dark, using star shells to illuminate their targets. Three hours later they saw her explode and sink, also with all hands. The Mobile was credited with assisting the two sinkings.

Information was taken from Morison's History of United States Naval Operations in World War II, Volume 8.
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From the Data Section of Joe's Journal:

Philippine Is. ____________ Oct 20 to 27
Leyte - air strike troops landed on Leyte Oct 20

__ (sunk) ____________ Pro[b]. sunk
4 aircraft carriers ____ 1 Battle ship
3 Battle ships _______ 4 heavy cruisers
6 heavy cruisers _____ 1 light cruiser
2 light cruisers ______ 6 DDs
16 destroyers

Jap ships damaged
6 heavy cruisers _____ 6 BBs.
3 light cruiser ______15 DDs.

DD = destroyer
BB = battleship