National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Battle of the Komandorski Islands:  March 26, 1943

In a daylight engagement, Task Group 16.6, commanded by Rear Admiral Charles H. McMorris, USN, prevented Japanese reinforcements from reaching Kiska, Aleutian Islands, on March 26, 1943.    During the battle, USS Salt Lake City (CA-25) was damaged by gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Maya and Nachi, along with light cruiser Abukuma.  Nachi was damaged in return gunfire.  The Japanese withdrew from the attempt to resupply and all future missiosn to resupply were done by submarines.   Other U.S. Navy task group warships:   USS Richmond (CL-9), flagship to McMorris, USS Bailey (DD-492), USS Dale (DD-353), USS Coghlan (DD-606), and USS Monaghan (DD-354). 

Image:  80-G-44937:  Battle of the Komandorski Islands, March 26, 1943.   Shown:  USS Salt Lake City (CA-35), in action during the battle.  Destroyers are laying a smoke screen to the right.  Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.