 The squadron was nicknamed the "Grim Reapers," and as commanding officer Flatley became "Reaper Leader" on board .During the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942, Flatley led several F4F Wildcat fighters to escort Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers from VT-10 in a strike on IJN carriers.While USN and IJN strike forces passed each other, A6M Zeros from "Zuihō" led by Lieutenant Moriyasu Hidaka abandoned their escort duty and attacked USN aircraft.