Kitts then assumed command of heavy cruiser , then serving off the coast of Solomon Islands. He commanded "Northampton" during the screening of the carrier during attacks on Bougainville Island on October 5 and then took part in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands by the end of month. During that battle, "Hornet" was heavilly damaged by Japanese torpedoes, and Kitts and his ship tried to take a damaged "Hornet" in tow. Ultimately all efforts to save her failed and "Hornet" sunk on October 27, 1942.