Japanese Center Force (Leyte) [r]: U.S. designation for Japanese battleship force, under Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita, which, in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought in the Palawan Passage, Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, and Action off Samar (in San Bernadino Strait); to the Japanese, Force "A" of the First Striking Force (Leyte) [e]