The Battle of the Coral Sea, which took place from May 4 to May 8, 1942, was a significant naval engagement during World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval forces, primarily the United States and Australia. The battle is particularly notable for being the first in which aircraft carriers engaged each other, with planes launched from carriers attacking enemy ships.
The result of the battle was a tactical victory for Japan, as they successfully sank the American aircraft carrier USS Lexington and damaged the USS Yorktown. However, the battle is often considered a strategic victory for the Allies because it halted the Japanese advance towards Port Moresby in New Guinea, which was a key objective for Japan. This was the first time that the Japanese navy was stopped in its expansion, marking an important turning point in the Pacific theater of the war.
Overall, while Japan inflicted damage on Allied forces, the overall outcome prevented further Japanese expansion in the region.