Leyte–Samar Naval Base was a large United States Navy base in the Philippines on the Islands of Leyte, Samar and the San Pedro Bay. The base was built during World War II to support the many naval ships fighting and patrolling in the South West Pacific theatre of war as part of the Pacific War. A number of naval facilities were built on the east coast of Leyte island starting October 20, 1944. The first base was built at between the city of Tacloban and Anibong Point, a mile north of the city. Headquarters for the Seventh Fleet was built at Tolosa, 10 miles south of Tacloban on Leyte. The bases were on the large San Pedro Bay in Leyte Gulf which provided safe anchorage for many ships. Due to the lack of dry ground in Tacloban a second base was built on the east side of Leyte Gulf, on the south tip of Samar, on Calicoan Island and Tubabao Island. At Samar, a large Naval Depot was built to support the Pacific War. Samar was about 50 miles across Leyte Gulf from Tacloban. All construction was done by the Navy's Seabees.[1][2]
Leyte–Samar Bases
Leyte–Samar Naval Base was not one single base, but a number of facilities on the west, north, east shores of San Pedro Bay, and in the bay.
The USS ABSD-5 in Guiuan waters during World War IITacloban Naval Base in 1944
Tacloban Naval station, on Casiguran Bay, was the Leyte–Samar headquarters, Fleet communication center, the fleet post office, Quonset hut barracks, a base dispensary with beds. After the first landing, existing buildings and warehouses were used for the headquarters and barracks. Fleet Post office FPO# 3964 SF Tacloban. The Tacloban base and Port of Tacloban were at 11°15′03″N124°59′34″E / 11.250939°N 124.992726°E / 11.250939; 124.992726.[2][3]
Calicoan Naval Base was Calicoan Island. Calicoan Island is flat and is about a mile wide and 7 miles long. Stationed were 3,600 Troops. Calicoan Naval Base was a large storage depot and general quartermaster station, an Advanced Base Construction Depot. For loading and unloading a 500-foot wood pier and a 500-foot pontoon pier were built. The port could handle seven cargo ships. For loading and unloading, landing ships LCTp a jetty was built that could hand;e five ships. Fleet Post Office FPO# 3149 SF Samar Island. Located at 10°56′52″N125°49′13″E / 10.947887°N 125.820162°E / 10.947887; 125.820162.[1]
Aerial view of Guiuan Airfield on Guiuan IslandMap of major Leyte–Samar Naval Bases in 1944
Guiuan Naval Base on Guiuan, Samar was built by the 93rd and 61st Seabees stated on December 1, 1944. Guiuan became a major base with a vast warehouse depot. Guiuan was the Seabees headquarters with an 80-acre construction depot. Many residents of Guiuan were hired to work on the large base.[5]
Ammunition depot was built north of the Guiuan Naval hospital, placing it away from all bases. A 20 miles road was built to connect the Ammunition depot to Guiuan.[2]
Manicani Base was on Manicani Island off Samar at the city of San Antonio. At Manicani base a ship repair base was built. Housing for 10,000 troops was built with headquarters, mess hall, 100-foot pier, 1,500-by-80-foot pier, a pontoon pier and support buildings. Off Manicani Island the USS Artisan (AFDB-1) and USS ABSD-5 worked. Fleet Post Office FPO# 3864 SF Manacani Island. When it closed in 1945 all buildings were removed from the island. Located at 10°59′31″N125°38′13″E / 10.99194°N 125.63694°E / 10.99194; 125.63694[7]
Bolusao Tank farm was built near Bolusao at the North end San Pedro Bay, near the water treatment plant. Bolusao Tank farm stored fuel for the ships and base.
Hinundayan a town that was freed on October 22, 1944. Hinundayan Gulf, south of Leyte, was used for US Navy anchor and a small base was built, Naval Base Hinundayan. Fleet Post Office FPO# 3958 SF Hinundayan, Leyte.[8]
Port of Ormoc, west of Leyte, was freed on December 11, 1944 in the Battle of Ormoc Bay. The port had unlimited anchorage. A small Naval Base was built at the port, Naval Base Ormoc. Fleet Post Office FPO# was 3102 SF Ormoc, Leyte.[9][10]
Port of Calbayog, north of Leyte, was freed in 1945 by Philippine Commonwealth troops and the guerrillas. The port had unlimited anchorage. A small Naval Base was built at the port, Naval Base Calbayog. Fleet Post Office FPO# 3957 SF Calbayog, Samar.[11]
History
USS Artisan floating drydockQuonset village at Tolosa in 1945. Housing for the Philippine Sea Frontier Headquarters.
Before Leyte–Samar Naval Base was built the United States had to clear out the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces from the Philippines. The first main Naval event was the Battle of the Philippine Sea from June 19, 1944 to June 20, 1944. The next was the Battle of Leyte Gulf from October 23, 1944 to October 26, 1944. Battle of Leyte Gulf and Battle of the Philippine Sea were two of the largest naval battle in history. The Battle off Samar was part of the Battle of Leyte Gulf on October 25, 1944. The United States Army landed at Leyte on October 20, 1944, the start, of the Battle of Leyte. Major fighting ended on December 26, 1944.[12] On December 25, 1944, United States Seventh Fleet officially opened its headquarters in Leyte, with Task Group 72.7. Leyte–Samar Naval Base provided major logistic support for the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf on January 3, 1945. The base continued to grow and barracks shipsAPL-17 and APL-19 arrived in February 1945 to help with the housing shortage. On May 7, 1945, a large convoy departed the base at Ulithi, to move much of that base to Leyte–Samar Naval Base, taking operations closer the action. The convoy arrived on May 13. The second convoy departed May 19, this convoy included the floating drydock a 3,300-ton ARD-19. Also in May, the USS Ocelot arrived and was used a barracks ship for the quickly growing base. Many Merchant Navy ships started to arrive with supplies. fuel and ammunition. The ammunition shipsSS Bluefield Victory and USS Amador arrived with needed shore and ship ammunition. Also in May the USS Ajax (AR-6) a repair ship arrived and started repair work on ships, late repairing typhoon damaged ships. With many ships in the Pacific War for such a long time, Leyte–Samar Base became a major ship repair depot. More floating dry docks were added to the base including: ARD-15, ARD-18, ADR-23, ADR-25, AFDL-32, and AFD-17. In June 1945 the base had its peak population of 72,000 Troops. On July 27, 1945 the massive USS Artisan floating drydock was assembled in Leyte Gulf. Artisan was able to dry dock and repair the Navy's largest ships, like battleships. Much of the base was abandoned after the war in 1945. Leyte–Samar Base was part of a treaty in 1947" Agreement Concerning Military Bases, Manila, 14 March 1947. That noted that Leyte–Samar Naval Base could be used by the United States if determined to be required by a military necessity. In 1947 the base was abandoned.[13][1][2]
^Building the Navy's Bases in World War II History of the Bureau of Yards and Docks and the Civil Engineer Corps 1940–1946. US Government Printing Office. 1947. p. 230.
