Thomas C. Kinkaid
Kauffman the reported to General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander Southwest Pacific Area, and Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, Commander Allied Naval Forces, Southwest Pacific Area, and Seventh Fleet, at their headquarters in Hollandia, New Guinea and assumed duty as Commander of newly established Philippine Sea Frontier. He helped organized this command and was tasked with the mission of safeguarding and protecting shipping in the area under his cognizance. During the early days of Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, Kauffman served as Senior Officer Present Afloat.