USS Preston (DD-379)USS South Dakota (BB-57)Ayanami was referred to as a "Black Panther" for her actions during the Second Naval Battle of GuadalcanalO-20Ayanami, Uranami and Yuugiri sank the Dutch submarine O 20 on 19th December, 1941Before being commissioned, Ayanami's yard name was Destroyer No. 45Nineteen
Ayanami was assigned to 19th Destroyer Division