The Battle of the Coral Sea was a pivotal naval battle fought between May 4 and May 8, 1942, during World War II. It was notable for being the first major naval engagement where aircraft carriers engaged each other and fought without the fleets ever coming into direct contact. On May 8, as U.S. forces attempted to assess the damage from earlier engagements and regroup, Japanese aircraft carrier-based bombers attacked the USS Lexington. Despite the valiant efforts of her crew and air support from other U.S. ships, the Lexington suffered catastrophic damage. Fires and flooding from bomb and torpedo strikes proved overwhelming, leading to the captain's decision to abandon the ship. The sinking of the Lexington represented a significant loss for the United States, both in terms of naval strength and morale.In addition to the loss of the Lexington, the battle resulted in the sinking of a Japanese aircraft carrier, marking a rare instance of parity in losses in a naval engagement during the war. The heavy toll on both sides underscored the deadly effectiveness of carrier-based warfare and the intense loyalty of the naval crews. This battle effectively halted Japanese expansion into the South Pacific and marked a strategic turning point in the war, emphasizing the critical role of naval aviation.