Name Translation: "Shining Moon"

31 August 1942:
Completed at Nagasaki. Ship's captain: Commander Orita Tsuneo [49] (prev. C.O. HAMAKAZE).

8-30 September:
At Yokosuka for working-up,

7 October:
Assigned to Desdiv 61 (AKIZUKI, TERUZUKI), Desron 10, Third Fleet.

10-14 October:
Steamed from Yokosuka to Truk, then joined fleet at sea north of the Solomons.

26-27 October: Battle of Santa Cruz
Escorted Admiral Nagumo's Striking Force; later escorted damaged ZUIHO away from area. Minor damage: when near-missed by bomb from PBY: slight hull damage and seven dead.

29 October:
Arrived alongside AKASHI at Truk for repairs.

12-13 November: First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Escorted Admiral Abe's Bombardment Force. Claimed hits on all seven enemy ships engaged, including one sinking. Assisted crippled HIEI during daylight hours of 13 November.

14-15 November: Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
Joined Admiral Kondo's Emergency Bombardment Force, then with ASAGUMO provided close cover to the heavy ships. Assisted crippled KIRISHIMA and helped ASAGUMO and SAMIDARE remove survivors.

18 November-1 December:
Arrived Truk, then became flagship of Comdesron 10 (Rear Admiral Kimura Susumu [40]) until arrival at Truk of AGANO.

3 December:
Minor damage: clipped reef at Truk.

5-7 December:
Steamed from Truk to the Shortlands, then became flagship of Comdesron 2 (Rear Admiral Tanaka Raizo).

11-12 December:
Led supply-drum transport run to Guadalcanal (cover). Sunk: while patrolling close to shore at low speed, was attacked by U.S. PT-37 and PT-40, torpedoed and left dead in the water. Fires spread over the next three hours until reaching depth-charges, resulting explosions sinking the ship. Nine dead; NAGANAMI removed Admiral Tanaka and 56 others, ARASHI rescued 140 survivors and another 156 reached Kamimbo (Guadalcanal) in boats; Commander Orita (later Comdesdiv 32) among the survivors. NOTE: While all accounts state clearly that TERUZUKI sank off Guadalcanal, most official sources list her sinking coordinates as 7-50 S, 157-30 E -- or 20 miles NE of Kolombangara! Actual sinking coordinates are apparently unavailable.

15 January 1943:
Removed from Navy List.