Chapter I
General

Index

Section 1. Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Section 2. The Third Amphibious Force.
Section 3. The Fifth Amphibious Force.
Section 4. Functions of the Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Section 5. Duties of the Subordinate Commanders, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Section 1. Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

  1. Vice Admiral R.K. TURNER, U.S. Navy, on March 8, 1944, reported to the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet, as Commander Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Vice Admiral Turner's orders as Commander FIFTH Amphibious Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet remained in force on his assumption of the higher command.

  2. On June 1, 1944 the Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet were reconstituted by the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet and Vice Admiral Turner assigned additional duty as TYPE COMMANDER for all Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

  3. The AMPHIBIOUS FORCES, U.S. Pacific Fleet consist of Transports-Assault (APA), Cargo Vessels-Assault (AKA), Transports (AP), Cargo Vessels (AK), Civilian Manned Transports (XAP), and Cargo Vessels (XAK), Landing Ship Vehicles (LSV), Landing Ship Docks (LSD), Landing Ship Tanks (LST), Patrol and Special Craft (PCS, SC, LCC), Landing Craft (LSM, LCI(L), LCI(G), LCT(6), LCT(5), APc), Landing Boats, Training Commands, and Amphibious Operating, Repair and Training bases. These Forces have been designated TASK FORCE Thirteen.

  4. Subordinate Commanders of the Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet are as follows:

    1. Commander Amphibious Group ONE, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

    2. Commander Amphibious Group TWO, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

    3. Commander Amphibious Group THREE, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

    4. Commander Amphibious Group FOUR, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

    5. Commander Amphibious Group FIVE, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

    6. Commander Amphibious Group SIX, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

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    1. Commander Amphibious Group SEVEN, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

    2. Commander Amphibious Group TWELVE, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

    3. Commander Support Aircraft.

    4. Commander, Training Command, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

    5. Commander, Administrative Command, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

    6. Transport Squadron Commanders.

    7. Transport Division Commanders.

    The Commander Support Aircraft is placed by the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, under the control of Commander Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, for administration and training. When needed for operations and upon request by Commander Amphibious Forces, Commander Support Aircraft reports to Commander THIRD or FIFTH Amphibious Force for Operation Control. Office Space is provided at Amphibious Force Headquarters.

Section 2. The Third Amphibious Force

  1. The THIRD Amphibious Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, was organized on 27 July 1942, under the command of Rear Admiral R.K. Turner, U.S. Navy, as the Amphibious Force, U.S. South Pacific Fleet.

  2. Rear Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson, U.S. Navy, relieved Rear Admiral Turner as Commander THIRD Amphibious Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet on 15 July 1943.

  3. On 15 April 1943, the designation of this force was changed to THIRD Amphibious Force, U.S. Pacific fleet. The Commander THIRD Amphibious Force Operates as a Task Force Commander in command of such groups of the Amphibious Forces and other units of the Pacific Fleet as may be assigned.

Section 3. The Fifth Amphibious Force

  1. The FIFTH Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, was organized on 24 August 1943, under the command of Rear Admiral R.K. Turner, U.S. Navy, and assigned to the Central Pacific Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and later to the Fifth Fleet when the Central Pacific Forces became the Fifth Fleet. Commander Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, is also Commander of this force.

Section 4. Functions of the Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet

  1. The Amphibious Forces are a Fleet Organization designed to:

    1. Undertake simultaneously several coordinated amphibious operations.

    2. Provide a single superior troop command which will be charged with responsibility for continuity of planning and training, improvement of technique, and operations of amphibious troops to be employed in the sweep across the Pacific.

    3. Provide an Amphibious Air Commander for Planning and control of the employment of air units and air liaison parties involved in the direct support of amphibious operations; and for coordinating the organization of aviation ground elements to be assigned to captured bases.

    4. Provide for continuous planning for amphibious operations of Naval Forces in harmony with the intentions of the high command, and in collaboration with similar planning agencies attached to the command of amphibious troops.

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    1. Provide effective administration of vessels and shore units of the FIFTH Amphibious Forces, and the issue of Amphibious Type instructions.

  1. In order to completely fulfill the requirements of the above paragraph, it was also found necessary that Amphibious Corps be assigned as part of the task organization of the Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet in addition to carrying out their primary duties of exercising full and continuous operational command of the Amphibious training and operations of troops in the Central Pacific Area.

Section 5. Duties of the Subordinate Commanders, Amphibious Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet

  1. The Commanders of Groups ONE to SIX, Amphibious Forces, operate as Task Forces, or Task Group Commanders in command of such vessels as may be assigned to them.

  2. The Commander Training Command, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, will exercise administrative and operational control of such vessels as may be assigned him, and of Pacific Fleet amphibious training, operating, and repair bases and activities on the West Coast and of such other training as may be assigned. Administration of vessels will be exercised as directed by the Commander, Administrative Command. The Commander Training Command will communicate directly with the Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet, the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, the Navy Department, Commandants of Naval Districts, officials of the Army and Marine Corps, and with other appropriate administrative offices and commands, with respect to administrative and training matters under his cognizance.

  3. Administrative command of all vessels assigned to the Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, and amphibious repair, operating and training bases and boat pools in the HAWAIIAN Sea Frontier, is vested in the Commander, Administrative Command, Amphibious Forces, Pacific fleet, based ashore in PEARL HARBOR. He exercises administrative control of vessels of the Forces based on the Mainland, through the Commander Training Command, Amphibious Forces. The Commander, Administrative Command, Amphibious Forces, has cognizance of matters pertaining to the following, in accordance with general policies and directives issued by Commander Amphibious Forces:

    1. Maintenance of vessels and landing craft of Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, and such other vessels as are designated;

    2. Force supply and logistics;

    3. Training of amphibious forces including advanced amphibious communication training in the HAWAIIAN Sea Frontier;

    4. Underwater Demolition Teams advanced training and experimental work;

    5. Combat Loading of Amphibious Force Vessels in Hawaiian Area;

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    1. Inspections;

    2. Operational control of vessels of the Forces for routine operations, berthing, docking, training, and for other administrative purposes;

    3. Amphibious repair, operating, and training bases;

    4. Landing boat pools, landing boat and miscellaneous assignments and replacements including those in Forward Areas;

    5. Gunnery training, ammunition supply, ordnance allowances, armament and ordnance repairs and alterations;

    6. Force personnel and flag detachment command;

    7. Legal matters;

    8. Awards;

    9. Supply of stocks of naval material and equipment for amphibious assault operations;

    10. Dissemination of information;

    11. Membership in Joint Priorities of Shipment boards;

    12. Membership in Pacific Fleet Board of Awards.

  1. Under the direction of Commander Amphibious Forces, the Commander, Administrative Command will prepare and issue Type and Standard Practice instructions for the Amphibious Forces, Pacific fleet, and for the Training Command, Amphibious Forces.

  2. Matters relating to the items enumerated in the two preceding paragraphs will be referred by vessels and units directly to the Commander, Administrative Command, Amphibious Forces. This officer, after due consideration, will refer matters of policy, major alterations and major changes in personnel allowances to the Commander Amphibious Forces. The Commander, Administrative Command, Amphibious Forces, will communicate directly with the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet; the Commander Service Force, Pacific fleet; the Commanders of the third and fifth Fleets; officials of the Army and Marine Corps; and with other appropriate administrative offices and commands, with respect to administrative and training matters under his cognizance.

  3. The transport Group Commander designated for each particular Amphibious Landing Operation will be charged with the preparation of attack planning, execution of the ship to shore movement during the assault phase of the landing operations, unloading of his transport group through division Commanders, and the establishment of a forward area boat pool.

  4. Division Commanders will be responsible for the administration, inspection, training and tactical control of the vessels of their division. They will further be responsible for the combat loading, debarkation, unloading, and re-embarkation of troops and/or casualties after landing operations.

  5. The duties of Flotilla and Group Commanders of Landing Ships tank, and Landing Craft will in general be the same as those of transport Group and Division Commanders.

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