Guadalcanal Begins: Pacific War Turns at Last
The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, fought November 12-15, 1942, was the decisive engagement in the six-month struggle for the island. Japanese forces attempted to land 7,000 reinforcements and bombard Henderson Field. The U.S. Navy intercepted them in two brutal night actions in Ironbottom Sound, named for the dozens of ships already sunk there. Admiral Daniel Callaghan and Admiral Norman Scott were both killed, the only time two American admirals died in the same battle. The Americans lost two cruisers and seven destroyers but sank the battleship Hiei and destroyed 11 Japanese transport ships with their troops still aboard. Japan abandoned efforts to retake Guadalcanal two months later. The campaign cost Japan 24,000 dead, 1,200 aircraft, and 24 warships. It was the first time Japan lost a major land campaign in the Pacific.
November 12, 1942
84 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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