| Forces | - Sprague (TU 77.4.3. or "Taffy 3" on the radio. It was the group engaged by Kurita's guns): 6 escort carriers, 3 destroyers, 4 escort destroyers, 97 fighters, 72 torpedo planes.
- T.L. Sprague (TU 77.4.1. or "Taffy 1" on the radio. Sprague was in overall command of the 3 "Taffy"): 6 escort carriers, 3 destroyers, 3 escort destroyers, 116 fighters, 58 torpedo planes.
- Stump (TU 77.4.2. or "Taffy 2" on the radio): 6 escort carriers, 3 destroyers, 5 escort destroyers, 91 fighters, 69 torpedo planes.
Total: 18 escort carriers, 9 destroyers, 12 escort destroyers, 304 fighters, 199 torpedo planes | - First section of the central force, ordered by Kurita: 2 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 7 destroyers.
- Second section of the Central Force, ordered by Kurita: 2 battlecruisers, 4 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 4 destroyers.
Total: 2 battleships, 2 battlecruisers, 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, 11 destroyers
2 carriers (with 37 fighters and 21 torpedo planes) and 2 escort carriers were ferrying aircrafts between Leyte and Morotai. They did not take part into the battle. |
| Losses | 1 escort carrier, 2 destroyers, 1 escort destroyer lost.
1 escort carrier, 1 destroyer, 1 escort destroyer damaged. | 3 heavy cruisers lost.
1 heavy cruiser, 1 destroyer damaged. |
During the battle of Samar, only one group of escort carriers came under the fire of the Japanese warships. Two other groups were cruising the Gulf of Leyte to support the combats on land. Their planes took part in the attacks against the Japanese ships. At the moment when Kurita made a U-turn, Stump's Taffy was close to the line of fire.