After the Battle of Midway, Petty Officer Nagahama was transferred to carrier "Zuikaku". In August 1942, he moved to Solomons area and participated in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, were he shared a credit for destroying an enemy flying boat over Zuikaku during CAP. In late October, he participated in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where he was part of the fighter escort led by Lieutenant Ayao Shirane, which covered the strike force against US carriers. In the air combat over the US fleet, he shared a claim to several Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters destroyed. It is very likely that he shot down the one flown by Lieutenant Paul Landry.