Upon assuming command, Halsey immediately began making plans to draw the Japanese naval forces into a battle, writing to Nimitz, "I had to begin throwing punches almost immediately."
在預計的命令下，哈爾西立即開始有計劃地吸引日本海軍艦隊進入戰鬥，他寫信給尼米茲：“我不得不幾乎立即開始出拳重擊。