Battle of Rennell Island
Between 3 October and 11 December 1942 "Chevalier" made three convoy escort voyages: one coastwise, with tankers; a second, from Bermuda to Norfolk, Virginia and with one of the first reinforcement convoys for North Africa. Sailing from Norfolk 17 December, "Chevalier" reached Efate, New Hebrides 22 January 1943. On 27 January she sortied with Task Force 18 (TF 18) to cover the movement of troop transports to Guadalcanal. On 29 and 30 January "Chevalier" joined in protective antiaircraft fire as her force came under intensive Japanese air attack in the Battle of Rennell Island. "Chevalier" operated on patrol from Efate, and after 14 February from Espiritu Santo.