The designation of both the 2^nd and 3^rd Raiders, who were refitting and training on New Caledonia, were changed 12 Sept.,1943. They would now be the 2^nd and 3^rd Battalions, 2^nd Marine Raider Regiment (provisional 1MAC.

On 4 October the 2^nd Raiders embarked on the President Hayes and disembarked 11 October at Guadalcanal. The 3^rd Raiders embarked 6 October on the President Adams and disembarked at Kokumbona, Guadalcanal 11 Oct,1943 and encamped next to the 9^th Marines, 3^rd Marine Division.

The 2^nd Raider Regiment was commanded by Col. Alan Shapley and Lt. Col. Joseph P. McCaffery assumed command of the 2^nd Raiders. Lt. Col. Fred D. Beans was now in command of the 3^rd Battalion.

Following the usual period of training and landing rehearsals, both Raider Battalions sailed 30 October, with the 1MAC task force for the assault on Bougainville scheduled for 1 Nov.1943. The operational plans for the landing were intricate with many assignments and missions. The dispositions of the Raider Battalions were as follows:

3rd Raiders on Bougainville

The 2^nd Raiders were attached to 3^rd Marine Division and Green Beach #1 at 0730 on the mainland.

The 3^rd Raiders: I and K companies and part of Hq. Co. landed at 0730 on Green Beach #1 on the north side of Puruata Island and experienced heavy resistance. M company landed on Green Beach #2 on the mainland and their mission was to establish a roadblock on the Mission Trail a mile north of the Beachead. L company landed over Green Beach later in the day.

As the campaign progressed the Raiders were frequently attached to units of the 3^rd Division and used as regular infantry battalions not as specialized units. However the Raiders played a key role in accomplishing the objectives of 1MAC and reaching the Final Beachhead Line. For 72 days the Raiders proved their worth and participated in the following major engagements:

• Battle of Piva Forks-9 Nov.1943
• Battle of Coconut Grove-13 Nov.1943
• Battle of Numa Numa Trail-19 Nov.1943

The two Raider Battalions performed brilliantly under the most difficult conditions and suffered very heavy casualties. On 12 Jan.1944, the Raiders were withdrawn from the combat zone and embarked on naval transport. On 14 Jan.1944, both Raider Battalions disembarked at Tassafaronga, unaware that the Marine Raiders were passing into history.

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