Buuxi weedha soo socota: "James E. Craig" wuxuu ka dhoofay Espiritu Santo 13-kii Febraayo isagoo wata saddex kale oo ilaalin ah iyo toddobo markab oo ganacsi oo ku sii jeeda Guadalcanal. Markii ay timid 16-keedii, waxay bilowday inay ka hortagto maraakiibta quusta ee Lunga Point. Waxay u ambabaxday Espiritu Santo 23-kii Febraayo, iyada oo raacaysa laba markab oo ganacsi waxayna sii waday shaqadeeda rakaabka ee u dhexeeya Guadalcanal iyo Espiritu Santo dhowr toddobaad. Bishii Maarso 15, waxay ka raacday saliidaha Espiritu Santo si ay ula kulanto shidaalka Task Force 36, oo ku hawlan hawlgallada ka dhanka ah Kavieng, New Ireland, iyo
Jasiiradda Emirau, "xidhiidhka ugu dambeeya ee ku wareegsan Rabaul". Shidaal buuxinta ayaa la dhammeystirey 25-kii, "James E. Craig" iyo "Cacapon" waxay ku biireen kuwa kale ee raacsan iyo maraakiibta shidaalka waxayna ku noqdeen Espirito Santo.