"The enemy is now within range," the captain instructed Lieutenant Edward L. Kuhn, US Naval Reserve, "Kitkun Bay"s gunnery officer, "Mr. Kuhn, you may fire the 5-inch at will." His gunners opened fire and altogether shot 120 of the 180 rounds stored on board, a telling tribute to their frantic defense of the ship, with Kuhn's "cool courage under fire" contributing to the gun crew's efficiency (and resulting in his later receiving a Bronze Star). One of their 5-inch shells plunged into a Japanese ship, tentatively identified as a cruiser, at 0759 on 25 October 1944, and started a fire forward. "Kitkun Bay" swung over five degrees to the westward to keep away from the enemy ships, two of which in sight, Chikuma and Tone, changed course to south-southeast to pursue the carriers. "Kitkun Bay" changed course to 240° at 0803, and launched a trio of Wildcats.