First Aerial Battle: The Coral Sea

4 - 8 MAY 1942

From the Desk of Admiral Nimitz: The Battle of the Coral Sea Unfolded

Date: May 8, 1942

Across the expansive waters of the Pacific, a battle has taken place that marks a vital milestone in our naval history. It's with a sense of cautious optimism that I navigate the facets of our first offensive operation in the months since the attack at Pearl Harbor—the pivotal Battle of the Coral Sea. The gravity of the situation prior to our confrontation was not lost on any of us; we were embarking on an unprecedented mission that would shift the balance of power in the Pacific.

Our adversary had shown a relentless ambition toward expansion, with sights set squarely on the strategic outpost of Port Moresby. The capture of this stronghold would compromise Australia, and by extension, our ability to effectively counter the southward reach of the Japanese Empire. Intelligence gleaned from our incomparable cryptanalysts at Station Hypo played a central role, alerting us to the looming threat and solidifying our conviction to act.

Thus, it was with a firm resolve that I oversaw the formulation of our response—Task Force 17, under the able command of Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher. The USS Yorktown and the venerable USS Lexington, bolstered by their accompanying vessels and fearless airmen, represented the core of our counteroffensive. Their orders were explicit: to disrupt the Japanese advance and protect the Port Moresby.

For the first time in the annals of naval warfare, a battle transpired where adversaries engaged without once seeing each other's hulls. Aircraft were now our long arms, our deliverers of explosive judgment—our carriers, virtual floating islands, provided the platforms from which they would launch. The air was thick with anticipation as our pilots soared into the fray, their engines reverberating promises of defiance—each drop of fuel spent, a covenant to the preservation of freedom.

The morning of May 7 saw a boon to our morale with the sinking of the enemy’s light carrier, Shoho. It was a strike that exemplified the valor and proficiency of our fighting men, a testament to the might of our aviators as they pierced through the enemy's veil to claim a victory. However, this initial success belied the challenges that would face us in the days to come.

The real battle was joined on the 8th of May. Reports flooded the command post: the Shokaku and Zuikaku—two of the enemy's fiercest carriers—had been spotted. The ensuing air combat was fierce, skies marked by the monochrome smoke of anti-aircraft fire and the bright flares of ignited fuel. Each report of success was tempered with the news of loss; the courage of our men juxtaposed with the tactical cunning and resilience of the opponent.

As the Lady Lex succumbed to the blows inflicted upon her, the sensation was not unlike losing a trusted companion in arms. The USS Lexington had been more than a symbol of American power; she was the embodiment of our hopes upon these uncertain tides. I stand in solemn tribute to the fallen of that robust vessel, who paid the ultimate price in their unwavering commitment to duty and country.

Despite the material losses, the outcome at Coral Sea spelled a greater story—one where strategic intervention had thwarted a significant threat, and the tactical loss had translated into a larger operational gain. Necessity birthed innovation; from the crucible of war, a new method reigned supreme. The unyielding reach of our aircraft from the deck of a carrier had effectively redefined the dynamics of naval prowess.

Simultaneously, a whisper of opportunity breezed through the intelligence fidings. Station Hypo, under the direction of Commander Rochefort, had intercepted and deciphered signals that shed light on a Japanese strategy aimed at Midway. Gleaning such intelligence was akin to capturing a look at the enemy’s battle plans while standing over their shoulder. The implications were game-changing; if Coral Sea had been an encounter, then surely Midway was poised to be a definitive clash of wills and warships.

As the Yorktown limped back for hasty repairs and the Pacific braced for the next wave of confrontation, each man in the fleet hardened his resolve. The Battle of the Coral Sea, for all its fury and fire, had been but a prelude to an even greater orchestration of strategy and strength.

Our path is clear, our duty undeterred. This is a war of vast distances and grand strategies; a war of willpowers, a contest of industry and innovation. With the formidable spirit of our forces, both at sea and ashore, we march onward, our sights set on horizons yet conquered, our hearts fortified by the sacrifices of our brethren.

The Coral Sea has etched a history; Midway shall define a future. The resolve of the United States Navy stands as the steadfast guardian of liberty, and as the architect of this maritime campaign, I pen these words not only as a record of past deeds but as the promise of victory to come.