Naval Battle of Guadalcanal

A series of naval engagements between Japan and the United States near Guadalcanal on November 12–15, 1942. The fighting helped decide whether Japan could reinforce its forces on the island.

First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal: A confused nighttime surface engagement fought off Guadalcanal on November 13, 1942. Its close-range clash disrupted Japan’s bombardment plan but left both fleets damaged.
USS San Francisco: A U.S. Navy heavy cruiser that fought in the first nighttime engagement off Guadalcanal. Its bridge was hit by Japanese gunfire, killing Rear Admiral Daniel Callaghan and many others.
Guadalcanal campaign: A campaign fought by Allied and Japanese forces for Guadalcanal and nearby islands from August 1942 to February 1943. The naval engagements were a decisive episode in this prolonged campaign.
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and Japanese reinforcement: The effort to deliver Japanese troops and supplies to Guadalcanal during the November 1942 naval engagements. The sinking of transports left the planned reinforcement force unable to reach the island intact.
Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal: A nighttime naval engagement fought off Guadalcanal on November 14–15, 1942. Its outcome helped prevent the Japanese battleship Kirishima from supporting the landing force.
USS Washington: A U.S. Navy battleship that fought in the second nighttime engagement off Guadalcanal. Its gunfire crippled the Japanese battleship Kirishima.
Battle of Savo Island: A Japanese nighttime victory over Allied cruisers near Guadalcanal on August 9, 1942. It exposed the danger U.S. surface forces faced in the waters where the November battles occurred.
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and control of the sea: The contested ability to move forces and supplies through waters around Guadalcanal during the campaign. The outcome reduced Japan’s ability to use large ships to support its forces near the island.
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal: air attacks on November 14: A sequence of American air attacks on Japanese ships near Guadalcanal on November 14, 1942. These attacks sank transports carrying troops and supplies intended for the island.
Kirishima: A Japanese Kongō-class battleship sunk by U.S. forces near Guadalcanal on November 15, 1942. Its loss ended the immediate threat of another Japanese battleship bombardment of Henderson Field.

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Ironbottom SoundRelated: Its wrecks and losses are among the sound’s most prominent wartime associations.