191026-N-PH222-0378 SAN DIEGO (Oct. 26, 2019) Retired Rear Adm. Sam Cox, Director of Naval History and Heritage Command, speaks to distinguished guests and World War II veterans at the Taffy 3 reunion. The ceremony honored the 75th anniversary of the Battle 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan M. Breeden/Released)