It was on the night of 27–28 September 1943 that the enemy first felt "Charles Ausburne"'s accurate fire, when she sank two barges in the waters off Vella Lavella. Early in October, she returned to Espiritu Santo for replenishment and training, and here on 23 October the squadron's most famous Commander, Captain Arleigh A. Burke, broke his pennant in "Charles Ausburne". Under his command, the "Little Beavers", as he nicknamed the squadron, were to win an immortal place in naval history, recognized by the awarding of the Presidential Unit Citation. Their continual series of operations against Japanese naval forces and shore installations played a large part in the winning of the Solomon Islands, and "Charles Ausburne" was in the thickest action from 31 October 1943 to 23 February 1944.