The Battle of the Coral Sea, a major engagement of the Pacific Theatre of World War II, was fought 4–8 May 1942 in the waters east of New Guinea and south of the Bismarck Islands between elements of the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States (U.S.) and Australia.

To extend their empire in the Pacific to the conquest of Australia, the Japanese first had to capture the naval and air center of Port Moresby on the southeast coast of New Guinea. In order to extend the reach of their air searches for Allied naval forces, they resolved to simultaneously establish a seaplane base at Tulagi in the lower Solomon Islands. The U.S. learned of the Japanese plan, known as Operation Mo, through signals intelligence and sent two United States Navy carrier task forces and a joint Australian-American cruiser force to oppose the Japanese offensive.

The result was a strategic defeat for the Japanese, since their principal goal of landing troops at Port Moresby was thwarted, but a tactical defeat for the Allies, who suffered more significant ship losses.

Because the Japanese assumed the tactical initiative, their forces are listed first.

Forces deployed

Losses in parentheses Ship Type IJN USN RAN Fleet carriers (CV) 2 2 (1) Light carriers (CVL) 1 (1) Heavy cruisers (CA) 4 6 1 Light cruisers (CL) 2 1 Destroyers (DD) 15 (1) 13 (1) Amphibious assault vessels 12 Auxiliaries 26 (3) 3 (1)

Japanese Forces

Task Force MO Vice Admiral Shigeyoshi Inoue, Commander, Fourth Fleet in light cruiser anchored at RabaulLundstrom (2006), p. 138.

Carrier Striking Force

Vice Admiral Takeo Takagi in heavy cruiser MyōkōWillmott, p. 87. 5th Carrier Division (Rear Adm. Chūichi Hara, Officer in Tactical Command in Zuikaku) 2 fleet carriers (Capt. Takatsugu Jōjima)Lundstrom, p. 140; Willmott, p. 87. Air Group (Lt. Cmdr. Kakuichi Takahashi)Lundstrom (2005), p. 188. 21 Mitsubishi A6M "Zeke" fighters (Lt. Takumi Hoashi)Gillison, p. 525; Lundstrom (2005), p. 188. 20 Aichi D3A Type 99 "Val" dive bombers (Lt. Masao Yamaguchi) 19 Nakajima B5N Type 97 "Kate" torpedo bombers (Lt. Tatsuo Ichihara) (Capt. Ichihei Yokogawa)Lundstrom (2006), p. 140; Willmott, p. 87. Air Group (Lt. Cmdr. Shigekazu Shimazaki) 25 Mitsubishi A6M "Zeke" fighters (Lt. Kiyokuma Okajima) 22 Aichi D3A "Val" dive bombers (Lt. Tamotsu Ema) 20 Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers (Lt. Yoshiaki Tsubota) Cruiser Division 5 (Vice Adm. Takagi in Myōkō) 2 heavy cruisers Both : , Gill, p. 40; Willmott, p. 87; Bullard, p. 52. Destroyer Division 5 2 destroyers Both : , Willmott, p. 87; Bullard, p. 52. Destroyer Division 7 4 destroyers All / -class: , , , Willmott, p. 87; Bullard, p. 52; Dull, p. 135. 1 oiler:

Invasion Forces

Rear Admiral Aritomo Gotō in heavy cruiser Aoba

Tulagi Invasion Group Rear Admiral Kiyohide Shima in minelayer OkinoshimaWillmott, p. 84. 1 transport: Azumasan Maru Embarking 400 troops from the 3rd Kure Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) plus a construction detachment from the 7th Establishment Squad.Bullard, p. 56; Jersey, pp. 58–60. 2 minelayers: ,Hackett, Okinoshima. Kōei Maru 2 destroyers: (), Willmott, p. 84; Dull, p. 136. 5 minesweepers: Wa #1 (), Wa #2 (), Hagoromo Maru, Noshiro Maru #2, Tama Maru ()Lundstrom (2005), p. 188.Bullard, p. 56; Willmott, p. 84. 2 subchasers: Toshi Maru #3, Tama Maru #8Bullard, p. 56; Willmott, p. 84.

Support Group/Close Cover Force Rear Admiral Kuninori Marumo in light cruiser TenryūHackett, Tenryu. Cruiser Division 18 (Rear Adm. Marumo) 2 light cruisers Both : , Gill, p. 40; Bullard, p. 52; Hackett, Tenryu and Tatsuta. 2 seaplane tendersHackett, Tenryu and Kiyokawa Maru. Dull, p. 136. Air group: 12 aircraftHackett, Tenryu; United States Army Center of Military History, p. 135.

Air group (attached) 3 gunboats: Keijo Maru, Seikai Maru, Nikkai Maru

Covering Group/Main Body Support Force Rear Adm. Gotō in AobaWillmott, pp. 85–86. Cruiser Division 6 (Rear Adm. Gotō) 4 heavy cruisers: , , , Bullard, p. 52; Willmott, pp. 85–86; Hackett, Furutaka; Gill, p. 40. 1 light carrier () Air Group (Lt. Kenjirō Nōtomi) 8 Mitsubishi A6M Zero and 4 Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" fighters (Lt. Nōtomi) 6 Nakajima B5N Type 97 "Kate" torpedo bombers (Lt. Michitarō Nakamoto) 1 destroyer: Dull, p. 136; Willmott, pp. 85–86.

Port Moresby Invasion Group Rear Admiral Sadamichi Kajioka in light cruiser YūbariHackett, Yubari. Transport Unit (Rear Adm. Kōsō Abe) 5 Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) transports: Mogamigawa Maru, Chōwa Maru, Goyō Maru,Willmott, p. 86; Bullard, pp. 56–57.(Bullard, pp. 56–57). Willmott spells Akihasan Maru as Akibasan Maru. Akiba Maru, Shōka Maru.Iwashige (2009), p. 78–79 Embarking approximately 500 troops from the 3rd Kure SNLF plus construction specialists from the 10th Establishment SquadBullard, pp. 56–57. 6 Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) transports: Asakasan Maru, China Maru, Mito Maru, Matsue Maru,Bullard, p. 58, 64; Willmott, p. 86; Dull, p. 135; Hackett, Tsugaru. Asakayama Maru was equipped with extra anti-aircraft guns (Bullard). The IJA commander was on Matsue Maru (Bullard). Taifuku Maru, Hibi Maru Embarking South Seas Detachment of approximately 5,000 troopsRottman, p. 84. 5 minesweepers: W-20 (Wa #20), Hagoromo Maru, Noshiro Maru #2, Fumi Maru #2, Seki Maru #3.Bullard, pp. 56–57; Willmott, pp. 85–86; Hackett, Tsugaru. Hackett does not list Seki Maru #3 as part of Abe's force. 1 minelayer: (Capt. Inagaki Yoshiaki)Hackett, Tsugaru. 1 salvage tugboat: WoshimaBullard, pp. 56–57; Willmott, p. 86; Hackett, Tsugaru. Some sources spell this ship's name as Oshima. Her ship's side name is をしま, not おしま おじま. 2 oilers: Hoyo Maru, Hackett, Ojima; Willmott, pp. 84, 86; Hackett, Tsugaru. Screen 1 light cruiser: (Capt. Masami Ban)Willmott, p. 86; Dull, p. 135; Hackett, Yubari. 6 destroyers: , , , , , Bullard, p. 56; Willmott, p. 86. 1 or 2 unidentified patrol boatsHackett, Ojima.

Submarine Force Captain Noboru Ishizaki Patrol/Scouting Group: , , , , Willmott, pp. 84–85. Raiding Group: , Bullard, p. 57.

Air Forces

25th Air FlotillaBullard, pp. 47, 61. Rear Admiral Sadayoshi Yamada 4th Air Group (based at Rabaul) 17 Mitsubishi G4M Type 1 "Betty" land attack bombersBullard, pp. 47, 53, 61. Tainan Air Group (based at Lae and Rabaul) 18 Mitsubishi A6M Zero "Zeke"   6 Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" fighters (Capt. Masahisa Saitō)Bullard, pp. 47, 53–54, 61. Yokohama Air Group (based at Rabaul, Shortland Islands, and Tulagi) 12 Kawanishi H6K "Mavis" reconnaissance seaplanes   9 Nakajima A6M2-N "Rufe" seaplane fightersLundstrom (2006), p. 138; Bullard, pp. 48, 52, 61. Genzan Air Group (based at Rabaul) 25 Mitsubishi G3M Type 96 "Nell" land attack bombersBullard, p. 61; Crave, p. 447.

Allied Forces

Task Force 17

Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher in YorktownWillmott, p. 190; Lundstrom (2006), p. 519.

Carrier Air Group (TG 17.5) Rear Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch, Officer in Tactical Command (OTC) 2 fleet carriers (Capt. Elliott Buckmaster)ONI, p. 11; Lundstrom (2006), p. 519. Air Group (Lt. Cmdr. Oscar Pederson)Lundstrom (2005), p. 190. VF-42: 17 F4F Wildcat fighters (Lt. Cmdr. Charles R. Fenton) VB-5: 18 SBD Dauntless dive bombers (Lt. Wallace C. Short) VS-5: 17 SBD Dauntless scout bombers (Lt. Cmdr. William O. Burch, Jr.) VT-5: 13 TBD Devastator torpedo bombers (Lt. Cmdr. Joe Taylor) (Capt. Frederick C. Sherman) Air Group (Cmdr. William B. Ault†) VF-2: 21 F4F Wildcat fighters (Lt. Cmdr. Paul H. Ramsey) VB-2: 18 SBD Dauntless dive bombers (Lt. Cmdr. Weldon L. Hamilton) VS-2: 17 SBD Dauntless scout bombers (Lt. Cmdr. Robert E. Dixon) VT-2: 12 TBD Devastator torpedo bombers (Lt. Cmdr. James H. Brett, Jr.) 4 destroyers All (4 × 5-in. main battery) (Cmdr. Harry B. Jarrett) (Lt. Cmdr. John K. B. Ginder) (Lt. Cmdr. Arnold E. True) (Lt. Cmdr. Glenn R. Hartwig)

Attack Group (TG 17.2) Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid 5 heavy cruisers 3 (9 × 8-in. main battery) (Capt. Howard H. Good) (Capt. Francis W. Scanland) (Capt. Frank J. Lowry) 1 (9 × 8-in. main battery) (Capt. Benjamin Perlman) 1 (9 × 8-in. main battery) (Capt. Thomas M. Shock) Screen (Capt. Alexander R. Early) 5 destroyers 1 (8 × 5-in. main battery) (Lt. Cmdr. Edward L. Beck) 4 (5 × 5-in. main battery) (Cmdr. George P. Hunter) (Lt. Cmdr. Charles F. Chillingworth, Jr.) (Lt. Cmdr. William P. Burfor (Lt. Cmdr. Robert H. Rogers)ONI, p. 10; Lundstrom (2006), p. 519.

Support Group (TG 17.3) Rear Admiral John Gregory Crace, RAN 2 heavy cruisers 1 (9 × 8-in. main battery): (Capt. Howard D. Bode) 1 (8 × 8-in. main battery): (Capt. H. B. Farncomb, RAN) 1 light cruiser 1 (8 × 6-in. main battery): (Capt. H. L. Howden, RAN) 2 destroyers 1 (5 × 5-in.main battery): (Lt. Cmdr. Walter C. Ford) 1 (4 × 5-in. main battery): (Lt. Cmdr. Thomas E. Fraser)

Fueling Group (TG 17.6) Captain John S. Phillips 2 oilers , Lundstrom (2006), p. 519. 2 destroyers (Lt. Cmdr. Willford M. Hyman†),

Search Group (TG 17.9) Commander George H. DeBaun 1 seaplane tender Dull, p. 136; Hoyt, p. 13; Willmott, p. 190; Lundstrom (2006), p. 519; Morison, p. 20. Patrol Squadron 71 (VP-71): 6 PBY-5 Catalinas Patrol Squadron 72 (VP-72): 6 PBY-5 Catalinas

South West Pacific Area

General Douglas MacArthurWillmott, p. 191.

Allied Naval Forces Vice Admiral Herbert F. Leary Task Group 42.1 (Capt. Ralph Waldo Christie in submarine tender at Brisbane)Gill, p. 42; Morison, p. 20; Willmott, p. 191. Subdiv 53 (Lt. Cmdr. Elmer E. Yeomans): , , , , , Subdiv 201 (Cmdr. Ralston B. Van Zant): , , , , Task Force 44 – temporarily assigned to Task Force 17, see Task Group 17.3 above

Allied Air Forces Lieutenant General George BrettWillmott, p. 192. United States Army Air Forces 8th Pursuit Group: 26 P-39 Airacobra fighters at Archerfield, BrisbaneWillmott, p. 195; Crave, pp. 424–425. 35th Fighter Squadron at Port MoresbyWillmott, p. 195. 36th Fighter Squadron at Port Moresby 49th Pursuit Group: 90 P-40 Tomahawk fighters at DarwinWillmott, p. 195; Crave, pp. 411, 416. 7th Fighter Squadron at Darwin 8th Fighter Squadron at Darwin 9th Fighter Squadron at Darwin 3rd Light Bombardment Group 8th Light Bombardment Squadron: A-24 Banshee dive bombers at Port MoresbyWillmott, p. 195; Crave, p. 425. 13th Light Bombardment Squadron: B-25 Mitchell bombers 90th Light Bombardment Squadron: B-25 Mitchell bombers 19th Bombardment Group: 17 Boeing B-17 bombers at Townsville (Lt. Col. Connally (first name unknown))Willmott, p. 195; Crave, p. 416; Salecker, p. 177. 30th Bombardment SquadronBowman, p. 85. 40th Reconnaissance SquadronSalecker, p. 177. 93rd Bombardment SquadronBowman, p. 85; Salecker, p. 177. 435th Bombardment SquadronCrave, pp. 425, 448. 22nd Bombardment Group: 48 Martin B-26 MaraudersWillmott, p. 195; Crave, pp. 414, 425. Royal Australian Air ForceWillmott, p. 196. No. 11 Squadron: Consolidated PBY Catalinas No. 20 Squadron: PBY Catalinas No. 24 Squadron: 3 CAC Wirraways at Townsville No. 32 Squadron: Lockheed Hudsons at Port MoresbyWillmott, p. 196; Gillison, p. 519. No. 75 Squadron: 3 Curtiss P-40s at Port Moresby

Port Moresby garrison Major General B. M. Morris Approximately 5,000 troopsWillmott, p. 143; McCarthy, p. 112. 30th Infantry Brigade 39th Infantry BattalionMcCarthy, p. 44. 49th Infantry BattalionMcCarthy, pp. 43–44. 53rd Infantry BattalionWillmott, p. 143. 13th Field RegimentMcCarthy, p. 45. 23rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery Detachment, 1st Independent Company 30th Infantry Brigade Signal Section 30th Infantry Brigade HQ Defence Platoon Moresby Fixed Defences Moresby Fixed Defences Fortress Engineers Moresby Fixed Defences Anti-Aircraft Artillery (six 3-inch guns) 1st Army Troops Company 7th Field Company 1st Section, 1st Mechanical Equipment Company 8th Military District Survey Section 8th Military District Bomb Disposal Section 8th Military District Signals