The invasion began with an assault on the island of Leyte on October 20, 1944. Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Philippine commonwealth president Manuel Quezon had left the island three years earlier after the Japanese invaded. Fulfilling his pledge, “I shall return, ” MacArthur moved slowly across the islands, suffering heavy casualties to the fierce Japanese resistance. When the Japanese surrendered at the end of the war on August 15, 1945, the liberation of the Philippines had cost the U.S. Army 13, 884 killed and 48, 541 wounded. Japanese military and civilian dead numbered over 250, 000, and 114, 010 others surrendered.
See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.
