After eight months of rest and refit in Melbourne, Stickney was appointed 1st Marine Division Law Officer in August 1943. He took part in the small unit training on Goodenough Island, New Guinea at the beginning of October 1943. Stickney took part in the Battle of Cape Gloucester in December 1943 and January 1944 and retook command of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines in April of that year.