Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12–15 November 1942
The multiphase Naval Battle of Guadalcanal consisted of a series of destructive air and sea engagements closely related to a Japanese effort to reinforce land forces on the island. In early November, the Japanese organized another Guadalcanal convoy, embarking 7,000 troops and their equipment in another attempt to retake Henderson Field. In conjunction with their troop landings, Japanese naval forces were assigned to bombard Henderson Field in order to destroy U.S. aircraft that posed a threat to the convoy. Ultimately, U.S. naval forces prevented the Japanese bombardment and sank most of the enemy troop transports. The only two U.S. Navy flag officers (Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan, Rear Admiral Norman Scott) to be killed in a World War II surface engagement were lost in this battle. Two U.S. light cruisers, four destroyers, and 35 aircraft were lost; three destroyers were damaged. The Japanese lost two battleships, one heavy cruiser, three destroyers, eleven transports, and 64 aircraft. Japan’s defeat also ended the enemy’s final significant attempt to dislodge the Allied forces in the eastern Solomons.
Operations
Historical Summary of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal Chronology
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12–15 November 1942, Order of Battle
U.S.S. Birmingham (CL-62) Torpedo and Bomb Damage, Solomon Islands, 8 November 1943 (summarizes damage sustained during Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and related actions)
Loss of USS Juneau (CL-52) and the Sullivan Brothers
Vignette: MAtt1/c Leonard R. Harmon and Commander Mark H. Crouter of San Francisco (CA-38)
Vignette: Lieutenant Eugene A. Barham and Laffey (DD-459)
Vignette: Lieutenant Albert P. “Scoofer” Coffin of Torpedo Ten
Imagery
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12–15 November 1942
