Four dive bombers attacked "Sims" and the rest dived on "Neosho". The destroyer was hit by three bombs, broke in half, and sank immediately, killing all but 14 of her 192-man crew. "Neosho" was hit by seven bombs. One of the dive bombers, hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed into the oiler. Heavily damaged and without power, "Neosho" was left drifting and slowly sinking (). Before losing power, "Neosho" was able to notify Fletcher by radio that she was under attack and in trouble, but garbled any further details as to just who or what was attacking her and gave wrong coordinates () for its position.