Operation Chronicle, the landings at Kiriwina and Woodlark Islands, was the VII Amphibious Force's first operation, presented no great difficulty as the islands were known to be unoccupied.
However half the assault troops experienced seasickness, problems were encountered with clearing the sand bar at the entrance to Guasopa Harbor, and Barbey's decision to land at night and withdraw before dawn in order to avoid encountering Japanese aircraft highlighted the inexperience of his crews and deficiencies in their training.
Unloading activities on the coral-fringed Kiriwina dragged on for a fortnight.

For the landing at Lae, Barbey elected to make a night approach and a dawn landing.
As the LCIs approached the beach, they were set upon by three Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bombers which score a bomb hit and two near misses on USS LCI-339.
Badly damaged and riddled by strafing bullets and fragments, the ship was beached but became a total loss.
That afternoon, six LSTs were attacked by a force of about 80 Japanese aircraft.
Some 48 Lockheed P-38 Lightnings were vectored to assist but USS LST-471 and USS LST-473 were hit, killing 57 crewmen and Australian troops.

A few weeks later Barbey was called upon to make a landing at Finschhafen.
Not confident of the promised air support, Barbey decided to make another night landing, with the landing ships clearing the beach before dawn.
Major General George Wootten, the commander of the assault troops, doubted that the VII Amphibious Force could find the correct beach in the dark, and was proven correct by events; the VII Amphibious Force was not yet proficient enough to conduct night landings.
Fortunately, this time Japanese air attacks failed to sink or damage any amphibious ships.
For his part in the landings at Lae and Finschhafen, Barbey was awarded the Navy Cross.
His citation read:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral Daniel Edward Barbey (NSN: 0–7930), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Amphibious Force, Seventh Fleet, during attacks on Japanese-occupied Lae and Finschafen in New Guinea, on 4 September and 22 September 1943.
With singular skill and inspiring courage, Rear Admiral Barbey personally led his forces to the beachheads under relentless air attacks and expertly directed the brilliantly executed landings which ultimately resulted in victory to our forces.
The sound tactical knowledge, fearless leadership and inspiring devotion to duty displayed by Rear Admiral Barbey were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The Battle of Arawe and the Battle of Cape Gloucester involved a number of "firsts" for the VII Amphibious Force.
It marked the first use of an Australian LSI, HMAS Westralia, in combat, and the first appearance in SWPA of a Landing Ship, Dock (LSD), USS Carter Hall.
The LSD was used to carry amtracs, also making their debut in SWPA, which were necessary to cross the coral reefs.
Fire support was provided by two LCIs equipped with rockets.
This proved so successful that Barbey had another six modified for the purpose.
Casualties were evacuated using specially modified LCTs and LSTS equipped as hospital ships.
For the first time, Beach Party 1 participated, providing a fully trained naval beach party for the first time.
Contrary to doctrine, it was not affiliated with a particular APA.
The Arawe operation also saw the first use of another innovation of Barbey's, the landing craft control officers.
However, an attempt to land a force in rubber boats was a total failure, and was not repeated.
Afterward, Barbey received his first properly equipped amphibious command ship, the USS Blue Ridge.
He also acquired an experienced deputy in Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler.
Fechteler commanded the assault on the Admiralty Islands, in which APDs were employed in order to meet the Army's requirement for a reconnaissance in force.
Operation Chronicle, the landings at Kiriwina and Woodlark Islands, was the VII Amphibious Force's first operation, presented no great difficulty as the islands were known to be unoccupied. However half the assault troops experienced seasickness, problems were encountered with clearing the sand bar at the entrance to Guasopa Harbor, and Barbey's decision to land at night and withdraw before dawn in order to avoid encountering Japanese aircraft highlighted the inexperience of his crews and deficiencies in their training. Unloading activities on the coral-fringed Kiriwina dragged on for a fortnight.
For the landing at Lae, Barbey elected to make a night approach and a dawn landing. As the LCIs approached the beach, they were set upon by three Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bombers which score a bomb hit and two near misses on USS LCI-339. Badly damaged and riddled by strafing bullets and fragments, the ship was beached but became a total loss. That afternoon, six LSTs were attacked by a force of about 80 Japanese aircraft. Some 48 Lockheed P-38 Lightnings were vectored to assist but USS LST-471 and USS LST-473 were hit, killing 57 crewmen and Australian troops.
A few weeks later Barbey was called upon to make a landing at Finschhafen. Not confident of the promised air support, Barbey decided to make another night landing, with the landing ships clearing the beach before dawn. Major General George Wootten, the commander of the assault troops, doubted that the VII Amphibious Force could find the correct beach in the dark, and was proven correct by events; the VII Amphibious Force was not yet proficient enough to conduct night landings. Fortunately, this time Japanese air attacks failed to sink or damage any amphibious ships. For his part in the landings at Lae and Finschhafen, Barbey was awarded the Navy Cross. His citation read:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Rear Admiral Daniel Edward Barbey (NSN: 0–7930), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Amphibious Force, Seventh Fleet, during attacks on Japanese-occupied Lae and Finschafen in New Guinea, on 4 September and 22 September 1943. With singular skill and inspiring courage, Rear Admiral Barbey personally led his forces to the beachheads under relentless air attacks and expertly directed the brilliantly executed landings which ultimately resulted in victory to our forces. The sound tactical knowledge, fearless leadership and inspiring devotion to duty displayed by Rear Admiral Barbey were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The Battle of Arawe and the Battle of Cape Gloucester involved a number of "firsts" for the VII Amphibious Force. It marked the first use of an Australian LSI, HMAS Westralia, in combat, and the first appearance in SWPA of a Landing Ship, Dock (LSD), USS Carter Hall. The LSD was used to carry amtracs, also making their debut in SWPA, which were necessary to cross the coral reefs. Fire support was provided by two LCIs equipped with rockets. This proved so successful that Barbey had another six modified for the purpose. Casualties were evacuated using specially modified LCTs and LSTS equipped as hospital ships. For the first time, Beach Party 1 participated, providing a fully trained naval beach party for the first time. Contrary to doctrine, it was not affiliated with a particular APA. The Arawe operation also saw the first use of another innovation of Barbey's, the landing craft control officers. However, an attempt to land a force in rubber boats was a total failure, and was not repeated. Afterward, Barbey received his first properly equipped amphibious command ship, the USS Blue Ridge. He also acquired an experienced deputy in Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler. Fechteler commanded the assault on the Admiralty Islands, in which APDs were employed in order to meet the Army's requirement for a reconnaissance in force.
Daniel E. Barbey