Destroyers USS Selfridge (bow shot off) and USS O’Bannon at New Caledonia for repairs after Battle of Vella Lavella (US Navy photo)
75 Years Ago—Oct. 6, 1943: Naval Battle of Vella Lavella: US fails to prevent Japanese evacuation of the island; US and Japanese each lose one destroyer; last surface engagement in the Solomons and last clear-cut naval victory for the Japanese.
US Fifth Army reaches Volturno River in Italy.
