25 November 1944:
While undergoing repairs in Santa Cruz on 25 November, Kumano came under aerial attack by aircraft launched by USS Ticonderoga. flooding the magazines, the engine room, and opening most of the vital areas of the ship to the sea. She rolled over at 1449 Hours and sank at 1515 in about 31 m (102 ft) of water at 15-45N, 119-48E.
595 survivors are rescued, but Captain Hitomi Soichiro is killed. He is promoted to Rear Admiral, posthumously.
Admiral William "Bull" Halsey reportedly once remarked that "if there was a Japanese ship he could feel sorry for at all, it would be the Kumano".
Squadron Highlights
Lt. J.W. Fair, USN was the first VF-80 pilot to destroy an enemy aircraft in the air.
Japanese heavy cruiser NACHI sunk by planes of air group 80 NACHI.
Japanese Kumano class cruiser sunk by planes of air group 80 KUMANO.
More Coming Soon.
