Location
Gulf in northern Luzon, bordering Pangasinan to the south and west, and La Union to the east. Site of both the Japanese (1941) and American (1945) landings on Luzon.

Japanese Occupation Landing
On December 22, 1941 Japanese General Homma's 14th Army landings on the eastern side of the Lingayen Gulf at Agoo, Vaba, Santiago and Bauang.

American Liberation Landing
On January 9, 1945 an Allied amphibious landing of U.S. Army troops from the 6th Army land along a 20 mile beachhead, stretching from Saul, Lingayen and Dagupan (XIV Corps) to the west, and San Fabian (I Corps) in to the east. During the initial landing, 68,000 troops are landed. A total of 203,608 land in subsequent landings.

Once ashore MacArthur commanded over 280,000 men,more than Eisenhower in Europe. During the assault group's trip to Lingayen from January 4 - 12th a total of 24 ships were sunk and 67 damaged by kamikaze attacks. Damaged was the USS Mississippi BB-41 and USS Colombia CL-56. The USS Colorado BB-45 was accidentally hit by friendly fire and damaged. Sunk in Lingayen Gulf was USS Long DD-209 and USS Hovey (DD-208 / DMS-11).

American mission against Lingayen Gulf
December 28, 1944 - January 8, 1945

Today
Lingayen Gulf is peaceful, with mainly local fishing boats using the Gulf only.

P-38L Lightning 44-25455
Pilot Shannon MIA January 20, 1945

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Last Updated
December 8, 2012