Along with several other sub skippers, Lt.Cdr. Murphy was promptly relieved of duty, for timidity in the face of the enemy in light of "Tambor"'s failure to close with and attack the enemy, or at least identify and properly shadow the Japanese cruiser force so aircraft could be vectored to the location (a regular task for both Japanese and American submarines and the primary purpose for which "Tambor" was there at all). Lt.Cdr. Murphy's lack of aggressiveness had hampered Spruance's intelligence of the battle and had played an important role in allowing , and to escape almost certain destruction from air attack. Murphy was sent to a shore post, being replaced in command of "Tambor" by Lt.Cdr. Steven H. Armbruster.