after a month of rest, "enterprise" headed on 15 july 1942 for the south pacific. there, she helped support the attack on the solomon islands on 8 august. during the battle of the eastern solomons, the japanese light carrier "ryūjō" was sunk. the japanese troops that were supposed to land on guadalcanal was forced back. "enterprise" was hit three times. 77 sailors were killed and 91 were hurt. "enterprise" was damaged badly.