The Battle of Savo Island took place on August 9, 1942, during World War II. It was a naval engagement between the United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy near the Solomon Islands. The battle resulted in a significant defeat for the U.S. forces, with the loss of four cruisers: USS Quincy, USS Vincennes, USS Astoria, and USS Chicago. The Japanese fleet, under the command of Admiral Gunichi Mikawa, successfully executed a surprise attack, taking advantage of the darkness and their superior tactics. This battle highlighted the challenges faced by the U.S. Navy in the early stages of the Pacific War and underscored the importance of intelligence and coordination in naval operations.