The Battle of Java Sea comprises a series of naval engagements. During the initial confrontation on February 13th, the U.S. cruiser Marblehead sustained repeated aerial attacks, sustaining damage but successfully returning to the United States. The cruiser Houston also encountered enemy fire, resulting in the loss of its aft 8-inch guns.

On February 27th, an allied task force, led by Dutch Rear Admiral KWF Doorman, embarked on an attack on the enemy positioned east of Baewen. The task force consisted of the Dutch flagship De Ruyter, the British cruiser Exeter, the USS Houston, the Australian cruiser Perth, and the Dutch cruiser Java.

The battle commenced at 16:16 with the Japanese heavy cruiser Nachi and Haguro, under the command of Admiral Takagi Takeo, opening fire on the Houston and the Exeter. Subsequently, the light cruiser Jintsu led a group of destroyers in an attack on British destroyers, resulting in the loss of three British vessels.

A general engagement ensued between the Allied and Japanese cruisers. Following the conclusion of the initial phase, the Dutch cruisers De Ruyter and Java were sunk, while the Perth and Houston were compelled to withdraw.

The USS Langley, which had been the first U.S. carrier, had been converted into a seaplane tender. It embarked on a voyage with the freighter Seawitch to Java, carrying its cargo, aircraft, and pilots. Regrettably, on February 27th, they were detected by Japanese reconnaissance aircraft. Land-based Japanese planes subsequently launched an attack, severely damaging the Langley, which was subsequently abandoned. The following day, the Houston and the Perth attempted to engage Japanese vessels unloading at Banten Bay, successfully sinking four of them. However, they were subsequently confronted by a substantial force of Japanese warships, resulting in both vessels being sunk. On the same day, the last cruiser of the allied forces in the vicinity, the Exeter, was sunk by Japanese forces in the Sunda Straits.