Scott commanded a Striking Force of two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and five destroyers at the Battle of Cape Esperance. Scott was escorting a supply convoy and trying to clear the ‘Slot’ (in the Solomon Islands) when he surprised a Japanese fleet under Rear Admiral Goto. Scott attacked and although the result was inconclusive it was the first time an American fleet had successfully challenged the Japanese.
At the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 12-14 November 1942, Scott was put under CALLAGHAN’s command but was killed when his flagship, the Atlanta, was hit when caught between the American and Japanese cross-fire.