The determining factors in the Battle for Leyte Gulf were superb skill, heroism, and aggressiveness--but confusion, surprise, and faulty assumptions also played significant roles. The Japanese Center Force, comprising more than half of Japan's naval gunfire, steamed undetected into gun range and caught the Seventh Fleet completely by surprise. The Japanese made no use of this wonderful opportunity, however, imagining the enemy to be manifold the strength that it was.

The Allied victory at Leyte enabled the U.S. Navy to transport troops and base long-range bomber planes in positions so close to Japan that victory was all but assured. Morison's account includes the key engagements surrounding the taking of Leyte: the U.S. Navy's extraordinary display of "gallantry, guts, and gumption" at the Battle of Samar and the perfect timing and almost faultless execution achieved in the Battle of Surigao Strait, the last naval battle in which air power played no part.