As the U.S. Navy celebrates its 244th Birthday, Oct. 13, Sailors aboard USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) honor the heroism and action during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, demonstrating the Navy's critical role in our nation's defense, then and now. The crew of Leyte Gulf took a moment to give a brief history of their namesake, wish the Navy and their shipmates a happy birthday, and to tell the world there is no higher honor than to serve in the U.S. Navy. (U.S. Navy Video By Mass Communication Specialist Zach

During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, a fleet of Japanese battleships attempted to run the 47-mile Surigao Strait in an effort to spoil the Allied landing at Leyte Gulf, but United States 7th Fleet Support force and the USS Melvin with Phil Hollywood onboard were standing in their way. This was the last ship-to-ship battle in the history of war, and the largest. 🇺🇲💥🇯🇵 #WW2inPH #WWII #WW2 #BattleofLeyteGulf #USNavy #Destroyer | World War II in the Philippines