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Early the next morning, a 27-aircraft strike force from the ''Ryujo'' attacked Henderson Field, but did no serious damage and was met by [[Marine Corps]] Wildcat fighters.  Sixteen Japanese aircraft were shot down (three by famed Marine ace Marion Carl) in exchange for three Wildcats.<ref>''Semper Fi in the Sky:  The Marine Air Battles of World War II'', by Gerald Astor, Presidio Press, 2005</ref>  American reconnaissance planes found the little carrier later in the day, and planes from the ''Saratoga'' and ''Enterprise'' were sent after her.  (The American commander, Admiral Frank Fletcher, had sent the ''Wasp'' to be refueled, so it played no part in the battle.)  The strike found ''Ryujo'' and sank her.

Early the next morning, a 27-aircraft strike force from the ''Ryujo'' attacked Henderson Field, but did no serious damage and was met by [[Marine Corps]] Wildcat fighters.  Sixteen Japanese aircraft were shot down (three by famed Marine ace Marion Carl) in exchange for three Wildcats.<ref>''Semper Fi in the Sky:  The Marine Air Battles of World War II'', by Gerald Astor, Presidio Press, 2005</ref>  American reconnaissance planes found the little carrier later in the day, and planes from the ''Saratoga'' and ''Enterprise'' were sent after her.  (The American commander, Admiral Frank Fletcher, had sent the ''Wasp'' to be refueled, so it played no part in the battle.)  The strike found ''Ryujo'' and sank her.

At the same time, planes from the ''Shokaku'' and ''Zuikaku'' attacked the ''Enterprise''.  Her defending Wildcat fighters were able to ward off the [[Nakajima B5N|torpedo planes], but some of the [[Aichi D3A|dive bombers]] got through, and she suffered three bomb hits, which resulted in fires, at least one secondary explosion, and a list.  However, the fires were soon brought under control, and the Enterprise was able to recover her planes and get underway.  Aircraft losses were 20 American planes and 70 Japanese, including the 37 based on the ''Ryujo''.<ref>''Oxford Guide to World War II'', ed. by I.C.B. Dear, Oxford University Press, 1995</ref>

At the same time, planes from the ''Shokaku'' and ''Zuikaku'' attacked the ''Enterprise''.  Her defending Wildcat fighters were able to ward off the [[Nakajima B5N|torpedo planes]], but some of the [[Aichi D3A|dive bombers]] got through, and she suffered three bomb hits, which resulted in fires, at least one secondary explosion, and a list.  However, the fires were soon brought under control, and the Enterprise was able to recover her planes and get underway.  Aircraft losses were 20 American planes and 70 Japanese, including the 37 based on the ''Ryujo''.<ref>''Oxford Guide to World War II'', ed. by I.C.B. Dear, Oxford University Press, 1995</ref>

On the 25th, land-based aircraft, some of them from Henderson Field, attacked the Japanese fleet, sinking a destroyer and a transport and damaging a cruiser.  Facing the almost certain prospect of further air attacks, the Japanese turned back, abandoning the operation.<ref>''A History of War at Sea'', by Helmut Pemsel, Naval Institute Press, 1975</ref>

On the 25th, land-based aircraft, some of them from Henderson Field, attacked the Japanese fleet, sinking a destroyer and a transport and damaging a cruiser.  Facing the almost certain prospect of further air attacks, the Japanese turned back, abandoning the operation.<ref>''A History of War at Sea'', by Helmut Pemsel, Naval Institute Press, 1975</ref>