Coral Sea, Battle of:

The Battle of the Coral Sea is the name given to the naval engagement that checked the Japanese advance toward Australia in May, 1942. Australia was, at the time, an Allied base of operations in the Pacific. This made it a prime target for invasion. As the Japanese fleet made movements toward Australia, two American forces joined together to check their advance. The American naval forces did not immediately engage the Japanese fleet; rather, they sent carrier based fighters to do the job. The fighters were so effective that the Japanese retreated before the American ships even advanced on them. This was the first naval battle in history where the only offensive force was in the air, and with the ships never actually engaging in direct combat. The American force was overwhelmingly victorious; America lost a carrier, a tanker, and a destroyer, while the Japanese lost 2 carriers, 2 destroyers, numerous miscellaneous vessels, and over 100 planes. Casualties on the Japanese side were estimated at 3500, while American casualties numbered at 540.

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