The Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands cost the United States Hornet and a destroyer, damaged several other ships, and destroyed 81 aircraft. American deaths totalled 266. Japan lost no carrier outright, but Shōkaku and a light carrier were heavily damaged, 99 aircraft were lost, and roughly 400 to 500 personnel were killed. Those losses included 148 pilots and aircrew, a burden Japan's replacement system could ill afford. The battle therefore combined a Japanese tactical victory with costly attrition among trained aviation personnel. Japanese carriers also competed with the Yamato programme and other commitments for limited industrial support.
Notable Point · 2:45:28-2:50:15
Santa Cruz and Japan's costly aircrew losses
Japan's tactical victory at Santa Cruz cost trained aircrew that its replacement system could ill afford to lose.