Daylight Surface Action

FRI 26 MAR 1943
Pacific
Battle of the Komandorski Islands: TG 16.6 (Rear Admiral Charles H. McMorris), comprising one heavy cruiser, one light cruiser, and four destroyers, outfights and repulses a Japanese force of two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and four destroyers (Rear Admiral Hosogaya Boso) escorting two transports with reinforcements for Kiska, Aleutians. In this daylight surface action, heavy cruiser Salt Lake City (CA-25) is damaged by gunfire from heavy cruisers Maya and Nachi and light cruiser Abukuma, 52°47'N, 172°45'E, but damages Nachi in return; destroyers Bailey (DD-492) and Coghlan (DD-606) are also damaged by gunfire, 53°20'N, 168°36'E.

PBYs and USAAF B-24s bomb Nauru Island, South Pacific.

Atlantic
Naval Operating Facility, Belem, Brazil, is established.

Escort carrier Bogue (CVE-9) operates in support of convoy SC 123; her aircraft keep U-443 and U-415 down and prevent their attacking the convoy.