Task Group 62.6 ([McCawley] Zeilin, Southard, Hopkins, Hovey, Trever, Zane, Nicholas, [Sterett], Gwin) departed Guadalcanal for Espiritu Santo with CTF 62 in McCawley during the evening 13 October having put reinforcements ashore. A hurried departure was necessitated due to the heavy Japanese threat (surface and air) approaching that area.

During the period 13–20 October, ComAirSoPac conducted daily air searches from Espiritu Santo, Vanikoro, and Fiji.

On 15 October enemy contacts indicated that a large Japanese task force consisting of aircraft carriers, battleships, heavy and light cruisers, and destroyers were operating in the vicinity of the Santa Cruz Island[s]. In addition, there were numerous submarine sightings throughout the South Pacific area.

Commander Task Unit 62.4.5 before departure from Espiritu Santo attended the aviators’ conference at which time information concerning the route and formation of Task Unit 62.4.5 was given to the aviators and other details such as air coverage, etc., were arranged.

During the morning of 14 October, CTG 62.6 detached the Nicholas in approximate position Lat. 10-20 South, Long. 162-35 East, and directed her to join Task Unit 62.4.5 in Lat. 10-35 South, Long. 162-48 East, as additional escort. R/V was made at 1600.

During the afternoon of 14 October because of the threatening enemy surface forces near Guadalcanal, Task Unit 62.4.5 was directed to return to Espiritu Santo. At 1730 Task Unit 62.4.5 reversed course. In another dispatch, ComSoPac directed that PAB Barge #4 be taken in tow by Vireo who with Meredith as escort was to proceed to Guadalcanal. The remainder of the Task Unit to continue to Espiritu Santo.

This message was not received by the Task Unit Commander in the Bellatrix, but Nicholas and Meredith did receive the dispatch. At 0550/15 the Nicholas asked CTU 62.4.5 if he had received this message and upon receiving a reply in the negative, transmitted its contents to CTU 62.4.5. At 0650/15, Task Unit 62.4.6 (Vireo with PAB Barge #4 in tow and Meredith) left formation and proceeded toward Guadalcanal.

Task Group 62.6, on 15 October, because of the reported presence of an enemy carrier in the vicinity of Espiritu Santo, changed its destination to Noumea arriving there at 1000/17. CTG 62.6 apparently was not aware of the loss of the Meredith until arrival in port.

During 13–14 October, numerous friendly planes were sighted by Task Unit 62.4.5.

   Throughout the day, commencing at 0700, Task Unit 62.4.5 had frequent radar contacts with enemy and friendly planes. Task Unit 62.4.6 also had similar contacts until Meredith was attacked and sunk.
   Task Unit 62.4.6 appears to have been shadowed continuously from 0700/15 until attacked shortly after noon. At 1050 an enemy carrier scout plane closed Meredith and was taken under fire. Task Unit Commander reversed course and made arrangements to abandon Vireo and barge in the event of an air attack. At 1215 radar contact at 45 miles of a large formation of planes. Personnel were taken off Vireo by Meredith and tug with barge set adrift and Meredith prepared to sink Vireo with torpedo, but before that could be done, Meredith was apparently attacked by dive bombers and torpedo planes. She was hit by 2 bombs and 3 torpedoes and sank in 10 minutes at Lat. 11-53 S., Long. 163-20 E. . . .

Source: Robinson, Shipmates Forever