Changes

The Japanese operation included two seaborne invasion forces, a minor one targeting [[Tulagi]], in the Southern Solomons, and the main one aimed at Port Moresby. These would be supported by land-based airpower from bases to the north and by two naval forces containing a small aircraft carrier, several cruisers, seaplane tenders and gunboats. More distant cover would be provided by the big aircraft carriers ''Shokaku'' and ''Zuikaku'' with their escorting cruisers and destroyers. The [[U.S. Navy]], tipped off to the enemy plans by superior communications intelligence, countered with two of its own carriers, plus cruisers (including two from the Australian Navy), destroyers, submarines, land-based bombers and patrol seaplanes.

The Japanese operation included two seaborne invasion forces, a minor one targeting [[Tulagi]], in the Southern Solomons, and the main one aimed at Port Moresby. These would be supported by land-based airpower from bases to the north and by two naval forces containing a small aircraft carrier, several cruisers, seaplane tenders and gunboats. More distant cover would be provided by the big aircraft carriers ''Shokaku'' and ''Zuikaku'' with their escorting cruisers and destroyers. The [[U.S. Navy]], tipped off to the enemy plans by superior communications intelligence, countered with two of its own carriers, plus cruisers (including two from the Australian Navy), destroyers, submarines, land-based bombers and patrol seaplanes.

==American preparations==

==American preparations==

Good communications intelligence allowed the U.S. Pacific Fleet to prepare to meet the planned Japanese offensive against Port Moresby, though available resources provided little margin for error. The freshly overhauled carrier USS ''Lexington'' (CV-2), rushed out from Pearl Harbor, joined USS ''Yorktown'' in the probable action area on May 1, doubling Rear Admiral [[Frank Jack Fletcher]]'s carrier forces and bringing along another experienced flag officer, Rear Admiral [[Aubrey W. Fitch]]. These carriers and their consorts engaged in several days of refueling from the oilers USS ''Neosho'' (AO-23) and USS ''Tippecanoe'' (AO-21), while awaiting the arrival of two Australian cruisers to reinforce the six already on hand.

Good communications intelligence allowed the U.S. Pacific Fleet to prepare to meet the planned Japanese offensive against Port Moresby, though available resources provided little margin for error. The freshly overhauled carrier [[USS Lexington (CV-2)|USS ''Lexington'']], rushed out from Pearl Harbor, joined [[USS Yorktown (CV-5)|USS ''Yorktown'']] in the probable action area on May 1, doubling Rear Admiral [[Frank Jack Fletcher]]'s carrier forces and bringing along another experienced flag officer, Rear Admiral [[Aubrey W. Fitch]]. These carriers and their consorts engaged in several days of refueling from the oilers USS ''Neosho'' (AO-23) and USS ''Tippecanoe'' (AO-21), while awaiting the arrival of two Australian cruisers to reinforce the six already on hand.

On May 3 a small Japanese naval force carried out a landing at Tulagi, on the northern side of the Coral Sea, where they quickly established a seaplane base to provide reconnaissance deeper into Allied waters. Leaving ''Lexington'' behind and detaching ''Neosho'' to join her, Rear Admiral Fletcher took ''Yorktown'' off to interfere with the landings. On the morning of the 4th, his planes hit the invasion force. Though results were modest, to some extent due to humid air fogging the dive bombers' sights, the destroyer ''Kikuzuki'' was fatally damaged and a few other ships and seaplanes were sunk.

On May 3 a small Japanese naval force carried out a landing at Tulagi, on the northern side of the Coral Sea, where they quickly established a seaplane base to provide reconnaissance deeper into Allied waters. Leaving ''Lexington'' behind and detaching ''Neosho'' to join her, Rear Admiral Fletcher took ''Yorktown'' off to interfere with the landings. On the morning of the 4th, his planes hit the invasion force. Though results were modest, to some extent due to humid air fogging the dive bombers' sights, the destroyer ''Kikuzuki'' was fatally damaged and a few other ships and seaplanes were sunk.

Fletcher then turned back south, rejoining Fitch on May 5 to top off his fuel tanks. The Japanese were now advancing into the Coral Sea with the Port Moresby Invasion Force and the separate Covering Force and aircraft carrier Striking Force. Both the American and Japanese carrier commanders spent the 6th moving westward, unaware just how close they had come -- at one point they were but 70 miles apart.

Fletcher then turned back south, rejoining Fitch on May 5 to top off his fuel tanks. The Japanese were now advancing into the Coral Sea with the Port Moresby Invasion Force and the separate Covering Force and aircraft carrier Striking Force. Both the American and Japanese carrier commanders spent the 6th moving westward, unaware just how close they had come -- at one point they were but 70 miles apart.

==The Battle==

==The Battle==

===May 7, 1942===

===May 7, 1942===