Battle of the Coral Sea May 4, 1942

The 69th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea was on Wednesday May 4. The battle was the first in which two navies fought using aircraft carriers without seeing the enemy. The Japanese wanted to invade and occupy Port Moresbyand Tulagi. To accomplish this the Japanese used two fleet aircraft carriers (Shokaku and Zuikaku) along with a light carrier (Shoho). The U.S. learned of this attack and sent two fleet carriers as well (Yorktown, Lexington) and an Australian-American cruiser force. On May 3-4 the Japanese invaded and occupied Tulagi, however several of their warships were damaged or sunk by U.S.S. Yorktown's aircraft. Now Knowing that the U.S. and allies were there, the IJN fleet carriers entered the Coral Sea. On the first day of the battle, the U.S. forces sucessfully sank the IJN Shoho. While the IJN only sank one destroyer and damaged an oiler. On the next day the IJN Shokaku was struck by three bombs and the U.S.S. Lexington was sunk. The Yorktown was hit by one bomb that penetrated through the deck and the Zuikaku had lost almost all of its aircraft. With both sides having suffered losses, they retreated. It was a Japanese Tactical victory and an Allied strategic victory.

 

 -Coral Sea Battle Map