(A Day minus one)
Thurs. Oct. 19, 1944
Weather fine about 100 (degrees).
Bombarded Leyte Island with 16-inch and 5-inch guns.

Giant 16" guns bellow at distant targets on Leyte in opening phase of the Philippines Campaign, October 19, 1944
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OmOQs0ziSU
A.P.D.’s under cover of our 5-inch gunfire, slip in close to the beach.
With powerful glasses one can see Demolition Squads, going over the side to blow up mines and obstacles in the shallow water. The bravery ot these men is outstanding, we could see the splashes where the Jape were shooting at them. I saw some of the wounded that were brought aboard. They had to amputate one mans arm.
Dive bombers can be seen pounding the Japs positions.