While in the confines of the Sibuyan Sea and approaching the San Bernardino Strait, Kurita's force underwent five aerial attacks by U.S. carrier planes which damaged several of his ships, including "Yamato". Constant air attacks from Admiral William "Bull" Halsey's 3rd Fleet scored two bomb hits on "Yamato", reducing her speed, and numerous torpedo and bomb hits on "Musashi", mortally wounding her. They also scored a number of damaging near misses on other vessels, reducing fleet speed to 18 knots. Knowing that he was already six hours behind schedule and facing the possibility of a sixth attack in the narrow confines of the San Bernardino strait Kurita requested air support and turned his fleet west away from Leyte Gulf.