Damage control
On 13 July, as part of Task Group (TG) 36.1, Woodworth took part in the Battle of Kolombangara, one of a series of naval engagements for control of waters between Vella La Vella and Kolombangara to the south and Choiseul to the north. The Japanese force consisted of one cruiser and five destroyers. "Woodworth" fired four torpedoes, and a fifth misfired. During the action, she was struck a glancing blow to the stern by , causing some flooding and light damage, but she continued to screen the cruiser which was hit by a torpedo. The destroyer was also hit and exploded. Nothing could be seen of that destroyer but a -high column of smoke. Damage control efforts for "Gwin" were futile, and she was scuttled. "Woodworth" suffered no personnel casualties.