By about 11:35, Hornet was disabled and Enterprise's damage-control officers regarded their own carrier as heavily damaged. Kinkaid feared that at least one or two undamaged Japanese carriers still threatened his force and decided to withdraw. The precise Japanese carrier strength is inconsistent in this account: one estimate gives three undamaged carriers, while the stated four-carrier total and two damaged carriers suggest otherwise. Enterprise recovered as many aircraft as possible before leaving. Hornet repeatedly came under attack just as efforts to save her appeared to be making progress. The immobilized carrier and her remaining escorts drew Japanese attention while Enterprise steamed away.
Chapter · 1:33:02-1:34:29
Kinkaid withdraws as Hornet is lost
Kinkaid withdrew damaged Enterprise while repeated Japanese attacks prevented Hornet and her escorts from escaping.