Douglas MacArthur

Recorded sideAllies (United States, Australia)

Recorded resultdecisive victory

Generally considered the largest naval battle in history; the Imperial Japanese Navy was crippled as an offensive force and organized kamikaze attacks were first used here.

The U.S. won through overwhelming numerical, naval-air, and firepower superiority, but the battle is notable because Japanese deception nearly succeeded against the Americans: Ozawa's Northern Force deliberately exposed its nearly empty carriers as bait, and Halsey took it, steaming north and leaving San Bernardino Strait unguarded. Kurita's battleships broke through to the escort carriers off Samar but, unaware of how close he was to the invasion beaches, turned back.

What followed

Destroyed Japan's remaining naval striking power, secured the Philippine invasion, and marked the debut of the kamikaze as a systematic tactic.

Recorded sideUnited Nations Command (US-led, X Corps; commander douglas-macarthur)

Recorded resultDecisive victory; Incheon seized, Seoul retaken shortly after

A surprise amphibious landing deep behind North Korean lines, leading to the recapture of Seoul and the collapse of the North Korean position in the south.

A deep amphibious envelopment far behind the front achieved near-total surprise against a thinly held port, exploiting overwhelming naval gunfire and air support. By cutting the KPA's supply lines to the Pusan Perimeter, it collapsed the North Korean offensive in the south with minimal Allied cost.

What followed

Reversed the course of the Korean War, breaking the siege of the Pusan Perimeter and enabling the recapture of Seoul; a celebrated example of operational maneuver, though it set up the later overextension toward the Yalu.