"Conway" cleared Norfolk 5 December 1942 for Nouméa, and Efate and arrived 13 January. She put to sea 27 January as her force sailed to meet Japanese ships evacuating troops from Guadalcanal. On 29 and 30 January, her force came under heavy enemy air attack in the Battle of Rennell Island. "Conway" splashed several enemy planes, and rescued survivors of . Throughout February, she patrolled between Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal, and between 4 and 6 March, participated in the bombardment of Vila Stanmore and a shipping sweep of Kula Gulf.