Which event involved the most battle casualties in the U.S. Navy during the 20th century?

The event that involved the most battle casualties in the U.S. Navy during the 20th century is the Battle of Leyte Gulf. This battle, fought in October 1944 during World War II, was one of the largest naval battles in history and had a significant impact on the course of the war in the Pacific.

The Battle of Leyte Gulf resulted in a staggering number of casualties due to the scale of the conflict and the size of the forces involved, leading to thousands of sailors being killed or wounded. This encounter not only showcased the might of the U.S. Navy but ultimately led to the near annihilation of the Japanese fleet, shifting the balance of naval power in the Pacific towards the Allies.

Understanding the context and scale of the battle is crucial, especially when juxtaposed with other events like the USS Forrestal fire, which, although tragic and significant, was primarily a fire aboard an aircraft carrier that resulted in a tragic loss of life but did not involve enemy action in the same way as a naval battle does. The other incidents listed, like the attacks on the USS Cole and USS Stark, while serious, also resulted in far fewer casualties compared to the vast losses experienced during Leyte Gulf.