<prompt> Ukulungiswa kwaqhubeka ngo-Okthoba, kugcina i-North Carolina ingahlanganyeli kakhulu emkhankasweni wasePhilippines, futhi yajoyina imikhumbi esisekelweni sayo esisha esiphambili e-Ulithi ngoNovemba 7. Lapho, wajoyina i-TG 38.3, ithimba lomsebenzi we-carrier esheshayo esedlule ku-Fifth Fleet kuya ku-Third Fleet futhi ngokufanelekile ukufakwa kabusha kusuka ku-50-series kuya ku-30-series. Lezi zindiza zaqala ukuhlasela izikhundla zamaJapane eLeyte, eLuzon naseVisayas ukusekela imisebenzi yezempi yasolwandle. Phakathi nalezi zenzo, i-North Carolina yadutshulwa indiza yokuzibulala i-kamikaze. Ukuhlaselwa kwaqhubeka phakathi no-December futhi kwaqina phakathi nokuhlasela iMindoro  <response>: ngoDisemba 15. Ezinsukwini ezintathu kamuva, umkhumbi wawudlula ngasePhilippines lapho ushaywa iSiphepho uCobra. I-North Carolina ayilimalanga kakhulu, kodwa imikhumbi-ngwenya emithathu yacwila kulesi siphepho. 