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Naval History and Heritage Command

National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Guadalcanal Campaign:  Naval Battle:  Savo Island

In the early morning of August 9, 1942, the Battle of Savo Island began.  A Japanese force had run through the Allied forces guarding Savo Sound.  As a result, one Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra, and three American heavy cruisers, USS Quincy, USS Vincennes, and USS Astoria were sunk, along with damage to other Allied vessels.  As a result of the loss, the sound gained the nickname, "Iron Bottom Sound."  A day later, USS S-44 torpedoed and sank the Japanese cruiser Kako off Kavieng, New Ireland, as she was retiring from the battle.  The Japanese forces were commanded by Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa, and the Allied forces were commanded by Rear Admiral Victor Crutchley, RN, and Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner, USN.   

Image:   NH 50346:   Battle of Savo Island, August 9, 1942:  USS Quincy (CA-39), photographed from Japanese cruiser during the battle.   U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.