Blackett Strait

[2] Another engagement occurred in Blackett Strait when a force of PT boats were sent to intercept the "Tokyo Express" supply convoy on 2 August.

In what National Geographic called a "poorly planned and badly coordinated" attack, 15 boats with 60 available torpedoes went into action.

When they left, the remaining boats were virtually blind and without verbal orders, thus leading to more confusion.

Patrolling just after the section leader had departed for home, PT-109 (captained by John F. Kennedy) was run down on a dark moonless night by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri, returning from the supply mission.

Members of the destroyer crew believed the collision was not an accident, though other reports suggest Amagiri's captain never realized what happened till after the fact.