Sean Kim's List: tipping point

The American and Filipino forces fought from an untenable position until formally surrendering to the Japanese on April 9. The Japanese immediately began to march some 76,000 prisoners (12,000 Americans, the remainder Filipinos) northward into captivity along a route of death. When three American officers escaped a year later, the world learned of the unspeakable atrocities suffered along the 60-mile journey that became known as the Bataan Death March.

In the fighting at Leyte Gulf, the Japanese lost 4 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, 8 cruisers, and 12 destroyers, as well as 10,000+ killed. Allied losses were much lighter and included 1,500 killed as well as 1 light aircraft carrier, 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort sunk. Crippled by their losses, the Battle of Leyte Gulf marked the last time the Imperial Japanese Navy would conduct large-scale operations during the war. The Allied victory secured the beachhead on Leyte and opened the door for the liberation of the Philippines. This in turn cut off the Japanese from their conquered territories in Southeast Asia, greatly reducing the flow of supplies and resources to the home islands. Despite winning the largest naval engagement in history, Halsey was criticized after the battle for racing north to attack Ozawa without leaving cover for the invasion fleet off Leyte.

"I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil."
    » Upon landing at Leyte, Philippine Islands, 20 Oct 1944

A Presidential cable ordering MacArthur’s evacuation from the Philippines had reached   MacArthur’s Philippine headquarters on Corregidor Island on February 22, 1942, placing the General in a real dilemma

The second person who played a decisive role in the Battle of Leyte Gulf was Admiral   William F. Halsey.

Halsey later led the Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific and save the Guadalcanal landings as well as   inflicting major defeats on the Japanese Navy in the several naval battles in and around the Solomon Islands. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Halsey led the largest   carrier task force ever created into the Philippine Islands and made some controversial decisions that would invoke many debates long after his death