Cape Gloucester
She steamed for Cape Gloucester, New Britain, 25 December and arrived just before dawn the next day. After a preliminary bombardment by naval and army air units, "Noa" landed 144 officers and men of the First Marine Division. She returned to Cape Sudest via Buna 27 December to take on 203 more First Division Marines, who reinforced the forces at Cape Gloucester 29 December. Her operations in the Cape Gloucester landings extended through 1 March 1944. "Noa's" participation in the Bismarck Archipelago operation also took her through the Green Island landings (15–19 February).