Meanwhile, nine PT boats under Commander Henry Farrow moved into the Buka Passage to engage the Japanese if Burke's force was unable to make contact.

[11] The Japanese destroyers landed the 920 troops and supplies and embarked 700 Navy aviation personnel being withdrawn because Allied bombing had rendered the airfield at Buka non-operational.

Superior radar allowed the American ships to approach within 5,500 yards (5,000 m) and launch their torpedoes at about 01:55 before the Japanese sighted them.

[15] Burke's force established radar contact with the rest of the Japanese force at 13,000 yards (12,000 m) soon after launching their torpedoes and turned to pursue; Yamashiro's three transport destroyers fled north, pursued by Burke's division, while Converse and Spence from Austin's division finished off the disabled Makinami with torpedoes and gunfire.

[16] By 03:45, Burke’s and Austin's divisions had linked up, continuing to push north to pursue the withdrawing Japanese ships.

[7] Burke subsequently called off the attempt at 04:04, low on fuel and ammunition and needing to withdraw before daylight, when Japanese aircraft would likely begin operations to search for them.

[17] The battle represented a significant victory for the Americans and was later described as an "almost perfect action," for which Burke was awarded a Navy Cross.

[18] Although the Japanese were able to land their troops and withdraw their supporting personnel, they lost three destroyers sunk and one damaged, without inflicting any losses on the American force.