The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought to the southwest of the Solomon Island and to the east of New Guinea. It was the first Pacific War's battles between aircraft carriers and forces. The Japanese won this battle in numbers between them and the U.S., but the Allies were able to stop the Japanese attack on Port Moresby.
The Japanese plan included sending two sea borne invasion forces. One would focus on taking over Port Moresby, located on New Guinea's southern coast. Building a air base at Port Moresby would give Japan control to threaten Australia and allow them to control the Coral Sea, this would support their overall plan of taking over the pacific. The U.S. had decoded some of the messages of Japanese giving the Allies a head start to what the Japanese were doing. Preliminary operations occurred on May 3-6 and The Coral Sea Battle occurred on May 7-8. Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher lead the U.S. task force under the command of Admiral Chester Nimitz. While the Japanese were lead by Vice Admiral Takagi Takao under the command of Isoroku Yamamoto.
The Sinking of the Japanese aircraft carrier, Shoho, on May 7, 1942.
The U.S. lost one aircraft carrier, a destroyer, and an fleet oilers, with damages also to a second carrier. While Japan were forced to cancel the invasion of Port Moresby and lost two carrier, destroyer, and some smaller ships. The elimination of the two carriers, Shokaku and Zukaku helped let the U.S. have an advantage of Japan in The Battle of Midway.
Overall the Battle of the Coral Sea allowed the U.S. to understand the tactics of the Japanese while also stopping their mission to take over Port Moresby and the Coral Sea. While both sides had devastating losses of their navel fleet it was the first sea born aircraft battle in the Pacific.