On November 12, 1942 two ships in two different oceans, but both with the same name were involved in events during the war. In the north Atlantic the cargo ship Buchanan was torpedoed by U-224, all 73 crewmen were rescued.

In the south Pacific off Guadalcanal USS Buchanan DD-484 was accidentally shelled by other U.S. Navy ships, while she did not sink she had to withdraw from the battle, sadly five of her crew were lost in the incident.