Page "Naval Battle of Guadalcanal" Paragraph 2

In the resulting battle, both sides lost numerous warships in two extremely costly surface engagements at night.

Nevertheless, the U. S. succeeded in turning back attempts by the Japanese to bombard Henderson Field with battleships.

Allied aircraft also sank most of the Japanese troop transports and prevented the majority of the Japanese troops and equipment from reaching Guadalcanal.

Thus, the battle turned back Japan's last major attempt to dislodge Allied forces from Guadalcanal and nearby Tulagi, resulting in a strategic victory for the U. S. and its allies and deciding the ultimate outcome of the Guadalcanal campaign in their favor.