191023-N-AX103-0130 WASHINGTON (Oct. 23, 2019) Retired Rear Adm. Sam J. Cox, director of Naval History and Heritage Command, delivers remarks at a commemorative ceremony about the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Sponsored by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial, the ceremony honored the 75th anniversary of Leyte Gulf, the largest sea battle in modern history. During the three-day battle, the U.S. Navy’s goal was to take back the Philippines from Japan and secure their hold in the in the Pacific theater. What ensued was multiple, smaller, widely separated engagements that made up the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf around the Philippine islands. NHHC located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis and dissemination of U.S. naval history and heritage. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christopher P. Henry/Released)