The Battle of Coral Sea was the first of six Pacific War battles fought between aircraft carriers. It was indeed the first naval battle in history where the opposing ships never saw or fired upon each other.
By May 1942, the Japanese had enjoyed five months of great success in the Pacific Theatre. Determined to continue the offensive, the Japanese sought to capture Port Moresby, on New Guinea’s southeastern coast. This gain would allow the Japanese to run an airbase there, which would allow for further conquests in the South Pacific. Additionally, the Japanese hoped to “draw out” the US carriers and destroy them.
The Japanese fleet, under command of Vice Admiral Takeo Takagi and Rear Admiral Tadaichi Hara, committed two seaborne invasion forces to the effort. These were supported by land-based airpower as well as gunboats, cruisers, seaplane tenders and a small aircraft carrier. The United States communications intelligence was aware of the Japanese plans and prepared the US Navy accordingly. The Navy, under command of Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, prepared for battle with two aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, patrol seaplanes, cruisers, and land-based bombers. The Australian Navy also committed two cruisers to the battle.
May 7, 1942 was the first day of battle in the Coral Sea. The Americans and Japanese began the day looking for enemy carriers in the area. The Japanese scouts discovered the U.S. oiler Neosho and her escort, as well as the destroyer USS Sims early in the morning. Unaware that these were minor players in the United States defense, the Japanese launched a series of attacks on the American vessels. The USS Sims was sunk and the Neosha was reduced to driftwood. The attack caused heavy casualties; however, the main US forces in the area remained untouched.
The Americans found themselves in a similar situation around noon the same day. Misinterpreted scouting reports sent a massive attack against the Japanese light carrier Shoho. The Shoho was sunk, however the majority of the Japanese fleet remained intact. In the evening of May 7, the Japanese sent out more scouts to determine the location of Admiral Fletcher’s main fleet. Most of these planes were either shot down or crashed while attempting to land at night. This greatly decreased the Japanese power. Both sides retired for the remainder of the night determined to resume battle in the morning.
Before dawn on May 8, 1942 both the Japanese and Americans sent scouts to locate what they now realized was the main fleet of their opponent. Having found their targets each side attacked the other at approximately 11 am. Planes from the USS Yorktown and Lexington attacked the Japanese carrier Shokaku, leaving her unable to launch planes. The Japanese torpedoed and bombed the USS Lexington. Fire spread throughout the ship and she was abandoned. The USS Yorktown was badly damaged but remained operational. With damages including the loss of a light carrier, a destroyer and 1,074killed, the Japanese called of their Port Moresby Operation.