JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Washington – Eighty years ago, the Battle of Luzon showcased the decisive power of the U.S. Army in the Pacific, demonstrating the indispensable role of land forces in securing victory during World War II. As one of the largest campaigns in the Pacific Theater, the battle underscored the necessity of maneuvering large-scale forces across complex terrain, overcoming entrenched defenses, and engaging in sustained operations that ultimately led to the defeat of the Imperial Japanese forces and the liberation of the Philippines.
Landpower in the Pacific: A Strategic Necessity
While naval and air power played critical roles in setting the conditions for success in the Pacific, the U.S. Army’s ability to seize and hold ground, sustain prolonged combat operations and integrate with allied forces proved essential for victory. Luzon’s diverse terrain—from coastal landings at Lingayen Gulf to dense jungles, mountainous strongholds and urban combat in Manila—demanded a force capable of engaging the enemy in all domains.
The U.S. Sixth Army, led by Gen. Walter Krueger, was the primary force responsible for the invasion of Luzon on Jan. 9, 1945. Supported by I Corps, under Maj. Gen. Innis P. Swift and XIV Corps, under Maj. Gen. Oscar W. Griswold, the Sixth Army executed one of the most complex multi-domain operations of the war, combining amphibious assaults, airborne landings, special operations raids, and joint operations with Filipino guerrillas to overwhelm Japanese defenders.
The success of these operations was not solely due to superior firepower but also to effective coordination and adaptability. The integration of various military branches and the collaboration with local resistance fighters exemplified a comprehensive approach to warfare, maximizing the strengths of each component to achieve strategic objectives.
Seizing the Initiative: The Lingayen Gulf Landings
The campaign began with a massive amphibious assault at Lingayen Gulf, where over 175,000 troops landed to establish a foothold. Unlike the island-hopping operations that characterized much of the Pacific War, the Luzon campaign required the Army to deploy, maneuver, and sustain forces across an island nearly the size of South Korea. The U.S. Army’s ability to quickly establish beachheads, push inland, and secure key logistics hubs underscored the fundamental advantage of landpower in contested environments—the ability to mass forces, conduct sustained operations, and adapt to shifting enemy tactics.
The landings at Lingayen Gulf were meticulously planned and executed. Naval units provided intense covering fire while landing craft loaded with assault troops moved toward the beaches. This coordinated effort ensured the initial objectives were secured, allowing subsequent operations to progress with momentum. I Corps led the northern thrust from the beachhead, with the 25th Infantry Division, 6th Infantry Division, and 43rd Infantry Division pushing inland. At the same time, XIV Corps, including the 37th Infantry Division and 40th Infantry Division, advanced south toward Manila.
Special Operations in Luzon: The Cabanatuan Raid
While large-scale combat operations were underway, special operations forces demonstrated the critical role of precision raids in support of strategic objectives. On Jan. 30, 1945, elements of the 6th Ranger Battalion, alongside Alamo Scouts and Filipino guerrillas, executed the daring Cabanatuan Raid, rescuing 511 Allied prisoners of war from a heavily guarded Japanese prison camp deep behind enemy lines.
The raid, meticulously planned and executed with stealth, speed and surprise, highlighted the U.S. Army’s capability to integrate special operations forces into conventional campaigns. The 6th Ranger Battalion’s infiltration of 30 miles behind enemy lines, combined with Filipino guerrilla forces’ critical reconnaissance and diversionary tactics, demonstrated the effectiveness of joint unconventional warfare in disrupting enemy control and securing key objectives.
The Cabanatuan Raid was not just a tactical success but a symbol of the Army’s commitment to never leaving a fallen comrade behind and a testament to the strength of U.S.-Philippine cooperation. The mission reinforced the importance of special operations forces in shaping the battlefield, conducting precision strikes and executing high-risk rescues—capabilities that remain vital in modern conflicts.
Urban Warfare and the Liberation of Manila
The Battle of Manila (Feb. 3 – March 3, 1945) demonstrated the Army’s ability to conduct large-scale urban combat—a critical capability in today's Indo-Pacific region. Operating directly under Sixth Army, the 1st Cavalry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Vernon D. Mudge, landed at Lingayen Gulf and rapidly advanced toward Manila as part of Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s directive. Their swift movement, famously known as the 'flying column,' was a decisive maneuver to liberate the capital ahead of schedule.
At the same time, the 37th Infantry Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler, and 11th Airborne Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. Joseph Swing, launched coordinated attacks from multiple directions. While the 37th Infantry Division pushed into Manila from the north, the 11th Airborne Division advanced from the south after securing a foothold at Nasugbu. The two forces converged, encircling Japanese defenders in the capital.
Facing an entrenched enemy determined to hold the city, U.S. forces engaged in intense building-to-building combat, a harrowing precursor to modern urban warfare. Despite fierce Japanese resistance, Army forces successfully liberated the capital, demonstrating the indispensable role of maneuver warfare and combined arms operations in securing key terrain.
Mountain Warfare: The Final Push
Even after Manila’s liberation, the Japanese 14th Area Army, commanded by Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, entrenched itself in the rugged mountains of northern Luzon. Unlike the decisive naval battles of the Pacific, the final phase of the campaign required months of sustained land operations, as I Corps led the offensive into the Cordillera and Sierra Madre mountain ranges in northern Luzon.
The 25th Infantry Division, under Maj. Gen. Charles L. Mullins Jr., was tasked with clearing Highway 5 from San Jose northward to Digdig. At the same time, the 161st Infantry Regiment advanced along the ridges west of the highway, and the 27th Infantry Regiment pushed forward on the east. Simultaneously, the 35th Infantry Regiment executed a flanking maneuver to disrupt enemy positions. These coordinated actions facilitated a breakthrough that allowed I Corps to continue its push deeper into the mountains.
By March 5, 1945, I Corps forces secured key terrain, including the towns of Putlan, Kapintalan and Balete Pass, facing some of the toughest resistance of the campaign. The rugged terrain and fortified Japanese positions made each mile brutal, yet the determination and coordination of I Corps units, Filipino guerrillas and support elements ensured victory.
A Legacy of Strength and Readiness in the Indo-Pacific
The Battle of Luzon remains a powerful example of how U.S. Army landpower serves as a decisive force in the Indo-Pacific. While naval and air power dominate strategic discussions, history has shown that the ability to deploy, maneuver, and sustain forces ashore remains essential for victory.
Today, as the U.S. Army continues to strengthen alliances, conduct joint exercises, and enhance readiness across the Indo-Pacific, the lessons of Luzon reinforce the Army’s unique and irreplaceable role. From large-scale combat operations to special operations precision strikes, the Army remains the premier force capable of shaping the battlespace, securing strategic terrain, and providing persistent deterrence in an era of emerging threats.
Eighty years later, the legacy of the Battle of Luzon stands as a testament to the power of land forces in ensuring stability, deterring aggression and securing victory.
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