ɐ nˈeɪvəl tˈæsk fˈoːɹs ʌv kɹˈuːzɚz ænd dᵻstɹˈɔɪɚz fɹʌmðə sˈɛvənθ flˈiːt ˌʌndɚ vˈaɪs ˈædmɜːɹəl tˈɑːməs sˈiː. kˈɪŋkeɪd—wˌɪtʃ wʌz dʒˈɛn. mˈækɑːɹθɚz nˈeɪvəl kəmˈænd—wʊd pɹətˈɛkt ðə lˈændɪŋ fˈoːɹsᵻz ˌɔn ðɛɹ mˈuːvmənts tə ʃˈoːɹ ænd ðˈɛn ɹᵻmˈeɪn tə pɹəvˈaɪd ɡˈʌnfaɪɚɹ æz nˈiːdᵻd.
A naval task force of cruisers and destroyers from the 7th Fleet under Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid—which was Gen. Macarthur's naval command—would protect the landing forces on their movements to shore and then remain to provide gunfire as needed.