One was sunk, two were damaged and later sunk by aircraft, the fourth was badly damaged but managed to escape. On the night of 12–13 May, Strong and the task force bombarded Kolombangara, then commenced escort and patrol duty off Guadalcanal. On the afternoon of 16 June, she was halfway between Guadalcanal and Tulagi when a flight of approximately 15 Japanese dive bombers attacked the American ships. Strong was the closest ship to the bombers as they approached in a shallow dive and she claimed three shot down. On the morning of 5 July, American forces landed at Rice Anchorage. Strong and TF 18 were to support the landings by shelling Vila-Stanmore, Enogai, and Bairoko. Strong and Nicholas entered Bairoko Harbor to search ahead of the main force and shelled the harbour from 00:30 to 00:40. Nine minutes later, a torpedo hit her port side. The torpedo was from a salvo fired by the Japanese destroyer Niizuki, from a distance of and is believed to be the longest-range torpedo kill in history. intentionally rammed Strongs bow to enable her to throw nets and lines to the stricken ship, and rescued 241 men. Japanese gunners on Enogai beach spotted the ships, illuminated them with star shells, and opened fire with high explosive rounds. O'Bannon began a counter-battery fire at the enemy guns that were hitting Strong and Chevalier who was forced to withdraw. Strong began to settle rapidly with a 40° to 60° list to starboard, she broke in half just prior to sinking and several of her depth charges exploded. Forty-six men were killed and she was struck from the Navy list on 15 July 1943. Wreck discovered In mid-February 2019, the research vessel located the wreck in meters of water. The ship is well broken up with the heavily damaged forward part of the ship resting on its port side in a compact debris field that contains the rest of the ship, including her fairly well-preserved wheelhouse, torpedo tubes, propellers and propeller shafts, 5" guns, boilers, and at least one intact funnel. Honors Strong received two battle stars for World War II service. References External links USS Strong website at Destroyer History Foundation navsource.org: USS Strong hazegray.org: USS Strong Strong (DD-467) Ships built in Bath, Maine Shipwrecks in the Solomon Sea 1942 ships Strong (DD-467) Maritime incidents in July 1943 Shipwreck discoveries by Paul Allen 2019 archaeological discoveries