Changes

After a month of rest and overhaul, ''Enterprise'' sailed on 15 July for the South Pacific where she joined TF 61 to support the amphibious landings in the [[Solomon Islands]] on 8 August. For the next 2 weeks, the carrier and her planes guarded seaborne communication lines southwest of the Solomons. On 24 August a strong Japanese force was sighted some 200 miles north of Guadalcanal and TF 61 sent planes [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons|to the attack]]. An enemy light carrier was sent to the bottom and the Japanese troops intended for Guadalcanal were forced back. ''Enterprise'' suffered most heavily of the United States ships, 3 direct hits and 4 near misses killed 74, wounded 95, and inflicted serious damage on the carrier. But well-trained damage control parties, and quick, hard work patched her up so that she was able to return to Hawaii under her own power.

After a month of rest and overhaul, ''Enterprise'' sailed on 15 July for the South Pacific where she joined TF 61 to support the amphibious landings in the [[Solomon Islands]] on 8 August. For the next 2 weeks, the carrier and her planes guarded seaborne communication lines southwest of the Solomons. On 24 August a strong Japanese force was sighted some 200 miles north of Guadalcanal and TF 61 sent planes [[Battle of the Eastern Solomons|to the attack]]. An enemy light carrier was sent to the bottom and the Japanese troops intended for Guadalcanal were forced back. ''Enterprise'' suffered most heavily of the United States ships, 3 direct hits and 4 near misses killed 74, wounded 95, and inflicted serious damage on the carrier. But well-trained damage control parties, and quick, hard work patched her up so that she was able to return to Hawaii under her own power.

Repaired at Pearl Harbor from 10 September to 16 October, ''Enterprise'' departed once more for the South Pacific where with ''Hornet'', she formed TF 61. On 26 October, ''Enterprise'' scout planes located a Japanese carrier force and the [[Battle of the Santa Cruz Island]] was underway. ''Enterprise'' aircraft struck carriers, battleships, and cruisers during the struggle, while the "Big E" herself underwent intensive attack. Hit twice by bombs, ''Enterprise'' lost 44 killed and had 75 wounded. Despite serious damage, she continued in action and took on board a large number of planes from ''Hornet'' when that carrier had to be abandoned. Though the American losses of a carrier and a destroyer were more severe than the Japanese loss of one light cruiser, the battle gained priceless time to reinforce Guadalcanal against the next enemy onslaught.

Repaired at Pearl Harbor from 10 September to 16 October, ''Enterprise'' departed once more for the South Pacific where with ''Hornet'', she formed TF 61. On 26 October, ''Enterprise'' scout planes located a Japanese carrier force and the [[Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands]] was underway. ''Enterprise'' aircraft struck carriers, battleships, and cruisers during the struggle, while the "Big E" herself underwent intensive attack. Hit twice by bombs, ''Enterprise'' lost 44 killed and had 75 wounded. Despite serious damage, she continued in action and took on board a large number of planes from ''Hornet'' when that carrier had to be abandoned. Though the American losses of a carrier and a destroyer were more severe than the Japanese loss of one light cruiser, the battle gained priceless time to reinforce Guadalcanal against the next enemy onslaught.

''Enterprise'' entered Noumea, New Caledonia, on 30 October for repairs, but a new Japanese thrust at the Solomons demanded her presence and she sailed on 11 November, repair crews from ''Vestal'' (AR-4) still on board, working vigorously. Two days later, "Big E" planes swarmed down on an enemy force and disabled a battleship which was sunk later by other American aircraft, and on 14 November, aviators from ''Enterprise'' helped to despatch a heavy cruiser. When the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal ended on 15 November 1942, ''Enterprise'' had shared in sinking 16 ships and damaging 8 more. The carrier returned to Noumea on 16 November to complete her repairs.

''Enterprise'' entered Noumea, New Caledonia, on 30 October for repairs, but a new Japanese thrust at the Solomons demanded her presence and she sailed on 11 November, repair crews from ''Vestal'' (AR-4) still on board, working vigorously. Two days later, "Big E" planes swarmed down on an enemy force and disabled a battleship which was sunk later by other American aircraft, and on 14 November, aviators from ''Enterprise'' helped to despatch a heavy cruiser. When the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal ended on 15 November 1942, ''Enterprise'' had shared in sinking 16 ships and damaging 8 more. The carrier returned to Noumea on 16 November to complete her repairs.