At 11:15, more than two hours after the first distress messages had been received by his flagship, Halsey ordered TF 34 to turn around and head south to pursue Kurita, but the Japanese forces had already escaped.
Klokken 11.15 – over to timer efter at de første nødopkald var blevet modtaget modtaget af hans flagskib – gav Halsey ordre til at TF 34 skulle sætte kurs sydpå og forfølge Kurita, men da var de japanske styrker allerede undsluppet.