Thesis
The Battle of Coral Sea was a turning point in World War II because it stopped Japanese offensive strategies, the U.S. Navy codebreakers were able to decipher Japanese codes, and it was the first major naval battle in which it was carried out entirely by aircraft.
Halting Japanese offensive strategies
Yorktown attacking Japanese carrier, Shokaku.
“It was the first time in the war that a Japanese invasion force did not succeed in taking its objective.” -Maurice Isserman
*This quote proves that the Battle of Coral Sea was a major strategical win for the Allies because the Japanese were not able to capture Port Moresby and Tulagi. The success of the Allies was also the first major "halt" to the Japanese offensive strategies since the attack on Pearl Harbor, making it a turning point in the war.
“It also reassured the American carrier and air group crews that they were at least the equals of their opponents, besides bringing Yorktown valuable combat experience.”
-John Keegan
*The Battle of Coral Sea was a turning point in World War II because it gave the Americans hope that they at least had a chance of defeating the Axis Powers. This achievement at the Battle of Coral Sea was also significant because it allowed the American military an opportunity to bounce
back after Pearl Harbor.
*This quote proves that the Battle of Coral Sea was a major strategical win for the Allies because the Japanese were not able to capture Port Moresby and Tulagi. The success of the Allies was also the first major "halt" to the Japanese offensive strategies since the attack on Pearl Harbor, making it a turning point in the war.
“It also reassured the American carrier and air group crews that they were at least the equals of their opponents, besides bringing Yorktown valuable combat experience.”
-John Keegan
*The Battle of Coral Sea was a turning point in World War II because it gave the Americans hope that they at least had a chance of defeating the Axis Powers. This achievement at the Battle of Coral Sea was also significant because it allowed the American military an opportunity to bounce
back after Pearl Harbor.
Japanese codes
"Although the Japanese exercised the utmost secrecy...Adm. Chester Nimitz's extraordinary intelligence advantage, the broken Japanese naval code, allowed him to know the projected movements of the combined fleet in each operation in great detail."
-Robert Cressman
*This quote depicting the great advantages of breaking the Japanese naval codes makes it clear that it was a major turning point during World War II for the Allies and it brought a significant amount of opportunities. This is due to the fact that it allowed the U.S. naval commanders to have knowledge of the Japanese moves in the Pacific that were believed to be secret. The Allies were able to earn an advantage from these findings because when Admiral Chester W. Nimitz learned of the plan of the Japanese he was able to assemble his own task force, using Yorktown and Lexington.
-Robert Cressman
*This quote depicting the great advantages of breaking the Japanese naval codes makes it clear that it was a major turning point during World War II for the Allies and it brought a significant amount of opportunities. This is due to the fact that it allowed the U.S. naval commanders to have knowledge of the Japanese moves in the Pacific that were believed to be secret. The Allies were able to earn an advantage from these findings because when Admiral Chester W. Nimitz learned of the plan of the Japanese he was able to assemble his own task force, using Yorktown and Lexington.
Aircraft
The flight deck of the USS Lexington.
The Battle of Coral Sea was very significant in World War II because it is considered the first major naval battle in which the ships never saw each other. This was due to the fact that the opponents' ships were one hundred miles away from each other. As a result of this factor, guns were never fired because the boats were simply too far away. The Battle of Coral Sea was significant because it was a war of carriers and air power, making it very confusing for those who were involved.
Citations:
"Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 Overview and Special Image Selection."
Naval History & Heritage Command. US Navy, n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/coralsea/
coralsea.htm>.
Cressman, Robert. "Battle of the Coral Sea." The Course to Midway. Naval
Historical Center, n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. <http://www.navy.mil/midway/
SinkingoftheLex.html>.
Isserman, Maurice. World War II. New York: Fact on File, 1991. Print.
"Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku under attack by USS Yorktown (CV-5) planes."
Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 Overview and Special Image
Selection. Naval History & Heritage Command, n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2013.
<http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/coralsea/
coralsea.htm>.
Keegan, John. The Second World War. New York: Penguin Group, 1989. Print.
View on the flight deck of USS Lexington (CV-2). Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8
May 1942 Overview and Special Image Selection. Naval History & Heritage
Command, n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2013. <http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/
events/wwii-pac/coralsea/coralsea.htm>.
"Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 Overview and Special Image Selection."
Naval History & Heritage Command. US Navy, n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/coralsea/
coralsea.htm>.
Cressman, Robert. "Battle of the Coral Sea." The Course to Midway. Naval
Historical Center, n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. <http://www.navy.mil/midway/
SinkingoftheLex.html>.
Isserman, Maurice. World War II. New York: Fact on File, 1991. Print.
"Japanese aircraft carrier Shokaku under attack by USS Yorktown (CV-5) planes."
Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 Overview and Special Image
Selection. Naval History & Heritage Command, n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2013.
<http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/coralsea/
coralsea.htm>.
Keegan, John. The Second World War. New York: Penguin Group, 1989. Print.
View on the flight deck of USS Lexington (CV-2). Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8
May 1942 Overview and Special Image Selection. Naval History & Heritage
Command, n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2013. <http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/
events/wwii-pac/coralsea/coralsea.htm>.