Naval operation

Battle of the Coral Sea

4 May 1942 – 8 May 1942 · Coral Sea

From 4 to 8 May 1942 the Imperial Japanese Navy fought US and Australian naval and air forces in the northern Coral Sea. It was the first battle between aircraft carriers and the first naval battle in which the fleets never sighted or fired on each other. The US lost the fleet carrier Lexington and Japan the light carrier Shōhō, so Japan won tactically by sinking more tonnage. Strategically the Allies prevailed, because the planned invasion of Port Moresby was halted, and damage to Shōkaku and aircraft losses on Zuikaku kept both out of Midway.