Battle of the Coral Sea

A heavy explosion on board the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2) blows an aircraft over her side, 8 May 1942. This is probably the great explosion from the detonation of torpedo warheads stowed in the starboard side of the hangar, aft, that followed an explosion amidships at 1727 hrs. At left is the destroyer USS Hammann (DD-412), which was backing away with a load of the carrier's survivors on board. The photo was taken from the heavy cruiser USS Minneapolis (CA-36).

Lieutenant Paul D. Stroop as staff officer aboard the carrier USS Lexington

The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942) saw American and Australian naval and air forces fight together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy against a powerful adversary - Japan. The battle was a turning point in World War II, marking the first strategic defeat of the Japanese Imperial Navy. But more than 600 men perished in the conflict. At a memorial service at Western Australia’s State War Memorial on May 7, 2019, we honored those who lost their lives in the battle. Our nations and the world will be forever grateful for their sacrifice.

The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942) saw American and Australian naval and air forces fight together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy against a powerful adversary - Japan. The battle was a turning point in World War II, marking the first strategic defeat of the Japanese Imperial Navy. But more than 600 men perished in the conflict. At a memorial service at Western Australia’s State War Memorial on May 7, 2019, we honored those who lost their lives in the battle. Our nations and the world will be forever grateful for their sacrifice.

The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942) saw American and Australian naval and air forces fight together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy against a powerful adversary - Japan. The battle was a turning point in World War II, marking the first strategic defeat of the Japanese Imperial Navy. But more than 600 men perished in the conflict. At a memorial service at Western Australia’s State War Memorial on May 7, 2019, we honored those who lost their lives in the battle. Our nations and the world will be forever grateful for their sacrifice.

The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942) saw American and Australian naval and air forces fight together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy against a powerful adversary - Japan. The battle was a turning point in World War II, marking the first strategic defeat of the Japanese Imperial Navy. But more than 600 men perished in the conflict. At a memorial service at Western Australia’s State War Memorial on May 7, 2019, we honored those who lost their lives in the battle. Our nations and the world will be forever grateful for their sacrifice.

The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942) saw American and Australian naval and air forces fight together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy against a powerful adversary - Japan. The battle was a turning point in World War II, marking the first strategic defeat of the Japanese Imperial Navy. But more than 600 men perished in the conflict. At a memorial service at Western Australia’s State War Memorial on May 7, 2019, we honored those who lost their lives in the battle. Our nations and the world will be forever grateful for their sacrifice.

The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942) saw American and Australian naval and air forces fight together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy against a powerful adversary - Japan. The battle was a turning point in World War II, marking the first strategic defeat of the Japanese Imperial Navy. But more than 600 men perished in the conflict. At a memorial service at Western Australia’s State War Memorial on May 7, 2019, we honored those who lost their lives in the battle. Our nations and the world will be forever grateful for their sacrifice.

The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942) saw American and Australian naval and air forces fight together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy against a powerful adversary - Japan. The battle was a turning point in World War II, marking the first strategic defeat of the Japanese Imperial Navy. But more than 600 men perished in the conflict. At a memorial service at Western Australia’s State War Memorial on May 7, 2019, we honored those who lost their lives in the battle. Our nations and the world will be forever grateful for their sacrifice.

The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942) saw American and Australian naval and air forces fight together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy against a powerful adversary - Japan. The battle was a turning point in World War II, marking the first strategic defeat of the Japanese Imperial Navy. But more than 600 men perished in the conflict. At a memorial service at Western Australia’s State War Memorial on May 7, 2019, we honored those who lost their lives in the battle. Our nations and the world will be forever grateful for their sacrifice.

The Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942) saw American and Australian naval and air forces fight together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy against a powerful adversary - Japan. The battle was a turning point in World War II, marking the first strategic defeat of the Japanese Imperial Navy. But more than 600 men perished in the conflict. At a memorial service at Western Australia’s State War Memorial on May 7, 2019, we honored those who lost their lives in the battle. Our nations and the world will be forever grateful for their sacrifice.

A propaganda cartoon in the Japanese English-language newspaper Japan Times & Advertiser on May 13, 1942 depicts, in the aftermath of the Battle of the Coral Sea, a mournful Uncle Sam joining John Bull in erecting grave markers for ships that the Imperial Japanese Navy claimed to have sunk up to that point in World War II. Although the loss of the British ships were accurate (and generally well-known at the time) the most recent ships were less so. The Japanese claimed to have sunk the fleet carriers Saratoga and Yorktown during the Battle of the Coral Sea, when in fact they had sunk the Lexington and heavily damaged the Yorktown. The battleship California was sunk at Pearl Harbor, and although refloated in March 1942, would not be ready for combat for another two years.

U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3 color guard, march alongside Australian Defence Force service members during the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3 and Australian Defence Force service members participate in the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3 color guard, stand at parade rest during the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

An Australian Army Cadet observes the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3 participated in the ceremony alongside Australian Defence Force service members. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara

U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3 color guard present arms during the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

A Royal Australian Navy Sailor plays a bugle during the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3 participated in the ceremonies alongside Australian Defence Force service members. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andrew Williamson, right, the executive officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, holds a wreath next to Group Captain Melissa Neilson, the commander of Headquarters Northern Command, during the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. Williamson is a native of New York and Neilson is a native of Tasmania. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andrew Williamson, right, the executive officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, prepares to lay a wreath with Group Captain Melissa Neilson, the commander of Headquarters Northern Command, during the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. Williamson is a native of New York, and Neilson is a native of Tasmania. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andrew Williamson, right, the executive officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, salutes with Group Captain Melissa Neilson, the commander of Headquarters Northern Command, during the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. Williamson is a native of New York, and Neilson is a native of Tasmania. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

Wreaths lie at the foot of the USS Peary Memorial in remembrance during the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, alongside Australian Defence Force service members participated in the ceremony. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

Wreaths lie at the foot of the USS Peary Memorial in remembrance during the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, alongside Australian Defence Force service members participated in the ceremony. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andrew Williamson, the executive officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, speaks with Group Captain Jim Collisson, the Director, Regional Air Domain Posture, during the 83rd anniversary ceremony of the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin, Australia, May 6, 2025. The ceremony commemorated U.S. and Australian service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4-8, 1942, during WWII. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

BRISBANE, Australia (May 5, 2007) - USS Lexington survivor Hilliard "Curly" Elliot, right, and Lord Mayor of Brisbane Campbell Newman listen as U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne addresses the audience during the 65th Commemoration of the Battle of Coral Sea. Numerous American and Australian dignitaries and military members, as well as survivors of Pearl Harbor and USS Lexington, which was sunk during the fight, attended the ceremony held at Brisbane city hall. The Battle of the Coral Sea took place May 4-8, 1942, and was considered one of the Allies first strategic victories in the Pacific during World War II. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gabriel S. Weber (RELEASED)

BRISBANE, Australia (May 5, 2007) - U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, representing the President of the United States, addresses a large audience at a reception for the 65th Commemoration of the Battle of Coral Sea. Numerous American and Australian dignitaries and military members, as well as survivors of Pearl Harbor and USS Lexington, which was sunk during the fight, attended the reception, held at Brisbane city hall. The Battle of the Coral Sea took place May 4-8, 1942, and was considered one of the Allies first strategic victories in the Pacific during World War II. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gabriel S. Weber (RELEASED)