In the moonlit waters off Guadalcanal, November 15, 1942, the USS Washington did what few battleships managed in WWII: it secured a stunning, one-on-one victory that helped shift the Pacific War.
As Japanese forces launched a last major attempt to retake Guadalcanal, the Washington stood as the final defense, proving American naval might combined with cutting-edge radar could be unstoppable.
The Perfect Warrior
The USS Washington, a North Carolina-class battleship, was commissioned in May 1941. At 728 feet and a full combat load of 44,800 tons, she was a formidable sight. Her four General Electric steam turbines generated 121,000 shaft horsepower, pushing her to 28 knots. Armed with nine 16-inch guns and twenty 5-inch dual-purpose guns, she was also equipped with extensive anti-aircraft defenses, which were continuously upgraded.
Her edge? Advanced radar systems. Equipped with SG surface-search radar and top-notch fire control, she had one of the most effective crews in the Pacific with 2,134 men.
The Critical Moment
The battle was part of the pivotal Guadalcanal campaign, marking the Allies’ first major push against Japan. When Japanese ships approached under cover of night, Washington led a task force with the USS South Dakota and four destroyers. The battle that followed showcased radar-directed gunfire’s game-changing role in modern warfare.
In the heat of night combat, Washington’s radar became the ultimate advantage. As the South Dakota experienced electrical failures, making her a target, Washington took control. Her radar-aimed main guns unleashed a devastating attack on the Japanese battleship Kirishima.
David Versus Goliath
Washington’s firepower was lethal. She fired 75 rounds of 16-inch shells and 107 rounds of 5-inch ammunition. Kirishima took at least nine major hits, ultimately leading her crew to scuttle the ship just hours later.
Legacy of Victory
This victory was a turning point in the Guadalcanal campaign, which lasted from August 1942 to February 1943. By breaking Japanese hopes of reclaiming Guadalcanal, Washington’s victory allowed Allied forces to seize momentum in the Pacific. It also showcased the strength of American radar and naval tactics.
After Guadalcanal, Washington continued to prove her might across the Pacific, joining major operations in the Gilbert, Marshall, Mariana, and Palau Islands campaigns, as well as the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Her influence extended beyond battles. Washington’s performance shaped future naval tactics, emphasizing radar-driven gunnery and night-fighting capabilities. Post-war, she helped bring American troops home in Operation Magic Carpet before her decommission in 1947.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
