As a result of the loss of carrier-based air cover, Turner decided to withdraw his ships from Guadalcanal, even though less than half of the supplies and heavy equipment needed by the troops ashore had been unloaded.
Som følge af tabet af støtten fra hangarskibene besluttede Turner at trække sine skibe tilbage fra Guadalcanal, selv om under halvdelen af forsyningerne og det tunge udstyr, som tropperne i land havde brug for, var blevet losset.