Battle of Kula Gulf
During the Solomon Islands campaign, on 6 July 1943, Akiyama commanded the 3rd Destroyer Squadron, which consisted of 10 destroyers loaded with 2,600 combat troops, bound for Vila on Kolombangara. At 01:06 off Kolombangara, the task group came into contact with U.S. Navy Task Group 36.1 (TG 36.1), commanded by Rear Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth, and consisting of light cruisers , , and , along with four destroyers. In the resultant Battle of Kula Gulf, the American ships opened fire at 01:57 and quickly sank the Japanese flagship, destroyer , killing Admiral Akiyama.