Documentary titled 'Battle for Leyte Gulf' depicts the battle fought between the Allied naval-air forces and the Japanese naval-air forces in Pacific waters off the Philippines, in World War 2.. Montage of views chronicling the battle, opens with aerial views of pacific islands seen through clouds followed by glimpse of numerous ships maneuvering far below. Port bow views of U.S. New Mexico class battle ship, followed by the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) of the 7th Fleet. Glimpse of troops on landing craft and charging across an island. Transport ships underway. Cruisers and battleships firing their guns. An Essex class aircraft carrier silhouetted against the horizon. An F6F aircraft comes up on elevator to flight deck next to the island on the USS Enterprise (CV-6). It has white triangle on tail containing its number. An F6F taking off from the Enterprise. Formation of U.S. aircraft in flight overhead. Gun crew firing twin bofors 40mm anti-aircft cannon.Flak bursts and tracer bullets seen in the sky as a Japanese warplane falls. Gun camera footage of American aircraft strafing Japanese aircraft on ground at an airfield. View, from an aircraft carrier, of a Mahan class destroyer traveling to her port side. Glimpse of two ships close together during refueling operation at sea. Animated map dominates remainder of the film. It illustrates movement of Task Force 38 to Okinawa on 10 October 1944 and launching of aerial attacks. the map shows further manuevers and activities of the task force. During these activities, Narrator notes that the cruisers USS Canberra and USS Houston are torpedoed and taken in tow. Cartoon shows Japanese propaganda broadcast about Japanese naval prowess. Glimpse of Japanese sailors cheering. Animated map continues showing maneuvers of U.S. task forces. Narrator notes the Houston is again torpedoed. Animated map continues to illustrate movements and attacks against Luzon and amphibious landings on outpost islands in Leyte Gulf.
Shows disabled war veterans (soldiers) being assisted by nurses at the White House lawn festival in Washington DC. War veterans from various U.S. campaigns including World War I, the Punitive Expedition in Mexico, and the U.S. Civil War wait in line to shake hands with President Herbert Hoover in the traditional White House reception. The First Lady and members of President Hoover's cabinet are also on hand to greet the well-wishers. The oldest soldiers present include both confederate and union soldiers from the American Civil War.
A United States New Mexico class battleship (believed to be the USS Idaho) is seen underway off Okinawa in World War 2. Heavy flak (antiaircraft gun fire) in the sky. Japanese Kamikaze (suicide dive bombers) in the skies under heavy flak fire. Kamikaze dives and strikes a battleship that appears to be the USS Tennessee (BB-43) throwing up a ball of flame. In the background is a smoking Destroyer, probably the USS Zellars (DD777) which was already hit by one or two Kamikazes. The Zellars and Tennessee were a short distance ahead of the Idaho during the attack. The Zellars was dead in the water as the Idaho passed it.
West Point Military Academy's history and traditions are depicted. Airmen seated in a room. An officer instructs them about aerodynamics. He explains them aerodynamics with the help of a diagram on a board. A portrait gallery and battle memorials in view. Signs read: 'Mexico-Buena' and 'Chapultepec'. Soldiers advance with the flag of the U.S. on the battlefield. The American flag hoisted on a flag pole. The soldiers stand at attention and an officer talks to them.
Opening scene shows Adolf Hitler reviewing German troops on parade. German paratroopers jumping from Junkers Ju-52 aircraft. View from the ground of paratroopers descending from three Ju-52s. The Japanese attack on Pearl harbor, December 7, 1941. Heavy smoke rising from the leaning USS Arizona after she is hit by bombs. Newspaper headline reading "Pearl Harbor Bombed!" American soldiers leaving Camp Stoneman, are seen assembled on a pier at the Pittsburg California waterfront to board one of the ferries that would take them to Piers 15 and 45 on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. A sign at pier reading:"Through these portals pass the best damned soldiers in the West." Glimpses of soldiers firing howitzers in World War 2. Glimpses of the civilians supporting the war effort. Auto factory workers walking near a war production plant during shift change. A new army truck leaves a factory. War production workers assembling the turret on a Sherman tank. Guns and turrets being manufactured. Factory floor filled with new pursuit airplanes. A B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft taking off. Aerial view from bomber of its bombs exploding over enemy target below. Freight trains carrying United States military supplies. Supplies being loaded aboard a ship for the U.S. and Allies. The American battleship USS New Mexico firing a gun, and firing guns from triple turrets. Workers assembling aircraft engines in a war plant. A woman at work in a war materiel production plant. Gun camera images from warplane strafing a ground target. World War 2 Victory parade along 5th Avenue, New York City, in 1946. Washington Square triumphal arch in background. Various views of the parade. Laid off war plant workers looking for new jobs. Troops welcomed home: Ship carrying returning United States soldiers back home after the end of World War 2. Disabled soldiers and sailors making their war to a Military Air Transport Service C-54 aircraft. More views of the disabled veterans who were injured during World War II.
U.S. battleships underway in Hampton Roads, United States. The battleships underway in a column formation include USS Idaho, USS Mississippi and USS New Mexico. Troopship Henderson underway at sea.