William Hank's Benson-class destroyer USS Laffey led the American column into the confused first naval battle of Guadalcanal. The opposing force included two battleships, a light cruiser, and 14 destroyers. Laffey passed Hiei by less than 20 feet, firing guns and torpedoes at point-blank range, wounding Admiral Abe, and shattering his command team. Boxed in by a battleship and destroyers, she kept fighting until a 14-inch shell and a torpedo put her out of action. Of the 247 people aboard, 59 were killed and 116 wounded, but the close attack helped disrupt Japanese control of the battle.
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William Hank and USS Laffey at Guadalcanal
USS Laffey passes within yards of Hiei, devastates the Japanese flagship's bridge, and fights on while surrounded.