Video: 'Why the Battle of the Coral Sea Was Unique in Naval History'

(Monday, May 4, 1942, 8:50 a.m. Solomon Islands Time; during the Battle of the Coral Sea, part of Operation Mo of South West Pacific theatre of World War II) — The Battle of Coral Sea, a five-day naval battle between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia, began today when Task Force Seventeen (TF 17), commanded by Rear Admiral Frank J. Fletcher, attacked the Japanese Tulagi Invasion Force at Tulagi, Solomon Islands, where elements of the Japanese landing force had gone ashore to estabish defenses.

Video: '141 - Carrier vs. Carrier - The Battle of Coral Sea - WW2 - May 9, 1942' (Battle of Coral Sea at 0:30)

It was the first time in naval history that two enemy fleets fought without visual contact between warring ships.

Video: 'World War II - Blitzkrieg to the Bomb Documentary' (Battle of the Coral Sea at 35:49)

The outcome four days later was considered a tactical victory for Japan, but ultimately a strategic one for the Allies.