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O’Bannon passing Savo Island in 1942 (above), at sea in 1943 (top four photos at right), and as damaged by ramming Chevalier during the Battle of Vella Lavella, 6–7 October 1943 (bottom right).

O’Bannon‘s early colors were painted over the week before she participated in the Battle of Guadalcanal, 12–13 November 1942. She retained this all-gray appearance for the duration of her first tour, which ended with the collision with Chevalier in October 1943 (see damage in bottom photo, right). Thus, the photos at right provide a useful reference to her appearance from November 1942 through 1943.