A number of naval facilities were built on the east coast of Leyte island starting October 20, 1944.

Headquarters for the Seventh Fleet was built at Tolosa, 10 miles south of Tacloban on Leyte.

The bases were on the large San Pedro Bay in Leyte Gulf which provided safe anchorage for many ships.

Before Leyte–Samar Naval Base was built the United States had to clear out the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces from the Philippines.

[12] On December 25, 1944, United States Seventh Fleet officially opened its headquarters in Leyte, with Task Group 72.7.

Leyte–Samar Naval Base provided major logistic support for the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf on January 3, 1945.

That noted that Leyte–Samar Naval Base could be used by the United States if determined to be required by a military necessity.