Japanese destroyer Akizuki

Akizuki (秋月) was the lead ship of her class of destroyer in the Imperial Japanese Navy. Its name means “Autumn Moon.”

In October 1944 Akizuki was part of the Northern Force commanded by Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo, in the Japanese attack on the Allied forces supporting the invasion of Leyte. On 25 October, in the Battle off Cape Engaño, it was sunk, probably by torpedo, ENE of Cape Engaño (20.48333°N, 126.5°W), during the initial U.S. air attack on the Northern Force. Most sources credit the hit to aircraft of Task Force 38, but some give credit to submarine USS Halibut (SS-232).