At the same time that the U.S. Army offensive was taking place in the hills around the upper Matanikau, the U.S. 2nd Marine Division—under the command of Brigadier General Alphonse DeCarre—was attacking along the north coast of Guadalcanal.
Samtidig med at den amerikanske hærs offensiv fandt sted i bjergene omkring den øvre Matanikau angreb marinekorpsets 2. division under kommando af brigadegeneral Alphonse DeCarre angreb langs nordkysten af Guadalcanal.