As the six CVE's moved south in a circular formation after exiting the rain squall, their position to the approaching Japanese warships would change with each new course taken. KALININ BAY was eventually placed in the tail end of Taffy III and shortly before 0800 she was hit by about fifteen 8-inch shells from the heavy cruisers. Luckily all shells were armor-piercing and they went through her thin hull without exploding. She continued to receive non-fatal hits until the action concluded.
