Attack by Enemy Aircraft
Departing Espiritu Santo on 12 October 1942 to escort a convoy to Guadalcanal, convoy came under attack by 35 Japanese bombers and torpedo planes from the carrier Zuikaku. Fighting valiantly, Meredith brought down three of the attacking aircraft before being hit and sunk. Meredith survivors rescued after 3 days in the water. Sixty three officers and men from Meredith survived the sinking and were rescued by friendly forces after being in shark infested waters for three days.