"McFarland" sailed for the South Pacific 2 June 1942. She arrived at Noumea on 16 June and within a month she made her first contact with an enemy submarine in Bulari Pass, 15 July. In August, as the Guadalcanal offensive neared, she assumed tender duties in the Espiritu Santo – Santa Cruz Islands area. Assigned to keeping the supply lines open, "McFarland" carried supplies to the embattled island and evacuated wounded marine personnel while the planes she tendered performed scouting and fighting missions.