As the ships neared their destination, "Aaron Ward" received orders at about 1330 to leave her convoy to cover "LST-449" off Togoma Point, Guadalcanal. (One of the passengers on "LST-449" was then Lieutenant (junior grade) John F. Kennedy, later to become President of the United States, on his way to take command of "PT-109".) Joining the tank landing ship at 1419, the destroyer directed her to follow her movements and zigzag at the approach of enemy aircraft. While the LST maneuvered to conform to "Aaron Ward"s movements, Lieutenant Commander Frederick J. Becton, commanding officer of "Aaron Ward", planned to retire to the eastward through Lengo Channel, as other cargo ships and escorting ships were doing upon receipt of the air raid warning from Guadalcanal.