A burning Japanese torpedo aircraft crashed into USS Smith, setting the destroyer on fire and causing losses that included 57 crew killed. Its torpedo was still attached and detonated after the impact, adding to the damage. The fires were becoming difficult to control when Smith steered into South Dakota's wake. Spray from the battleship helped the destroyer fight the fire. Smith was then able to return to antiaircraft duties against the remaining torpedo aircraft.
Notable Point · 1:27:56-1:29:13
USS Smith uses South Dakota's wake to fight a fire
A burning torpedo aircraft struck Smith, but the destroyer used spray from South Dakota's wake to help control the fire and resume antiaircraft work.