Opposing the Japanese and under the command of United States Navy Admiral William Halsey, Jr., commander of Allied forces in the South Pacific, were fleet carriers USS Enterprise and USS Saratoga, six escort carriers, three fast battleships, four old battleships, 13 cruisers, and 45 destroyers.
Over for japanerne og under kommando af admiral William Halsey, Jr., chefen for de allierede styrker i det sydlige stillehav, stod de store hangarskibe Enterprise og Saratoga, seks eskortehangarskibe, tre hurtige slagskibe, fire gamle slagskibe, 13 krydsere og 45 destroyere.