18. Kennedy led another mission to Choiseul the next day
PT 59 and four additional boats returned to Voza the night of November 3. They were sent to escort the slow landing craft which was used to evacuate the remaining Marines, carrying them 45 miles to Vella LaVella. The boats were to counter Japanese fire on the withdrawing Marines and provide anti-aircraft protection in the event the landing craft were attacked by Japanese aircraft. The withdrawal was accomplished successfully, with relatively light casualties, though the guns of the PTs exchanged fire with Japanese forward positions ashore.
On November 5, Kennedy was again in action, using the guns of PT 59 to destroy three Japanese barges, supported by two other PT boats. On November 11, PT 59 drove off two more Japanese barges with its guns. November 13 found the boat engaging shore batteries in the Warrior River. One the boat silenced with heavy machine guns. Kennedy was by then suffering from several tropical ailments, but his commanding officer gave him the highest possible marks for his leadership, judgment, and performance in command. On November 18, Lt. Kennedy was relieved of command due to his health.
