What was a significant outcome of the Battle of Coral Sea?

The significant outcome of the Battle of Coral Sea was that it marked the first naval battle fought entirely by aircraft. This battle, which took place in May 1942, was a pioneering event in naval warfare, highlighting the shift from battleship engagements to air power as the dominant force in naval encounters. It involved aircraft launching from aircraft carriers engaging enemy ships without the ships themselves ever directly firing at one another, which underscored the strategic importance of air superiority.

While the breaking of Japanese naval codes by the U.S. was indeed a crucial intelligence achievement during the war, it was not directly tied to the Battle of Coral Sea itself. The battle affirmed the effectiveness of carrier-based air power, making it a landmark event in military strategy. The nature of the battle also served as a precursor to future naval engagements, reinforcing the importance of aircraft carriers in naval fleets. The engagement resulted in a tactical victory for the U.S., as it successfully thwarted Japanese plans to invade Port Moresby, even though it could not be counted as a definitive strategic victory overall.