The War at Sea With the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan did not destroy the heart of the Pacific fleet: Lexington, Enterprise, and Saratoga

American Response in the Pacific Two-pronged strategy – General Douglas MacArthur would move north from Australia towards the Philippines – Admiral Chester Nimitz would move west from Hawaii toward major Japanese island outposts in the Pacific – Belief: Both would meet eventually to invade Japan

April 1942  American B-52s took off from aircraft carrier Hornet and flew 650 miles to Japan Lt. Colonel James Doolittle’s squadron dropped bombs on Tokyo  shocked Japanese leadership and boosted Allied morale.

Battle of the Coral Sea Japanese forces moved toward Australia May 7-8, 1942 American navy engaged superior Japanese fleet in the Coral Sea

Five Day Battle Resulted in a Draw U.S. lost the Lexington and the Yorktown was damaged Japan lost two aircraft carriers and most of their airplanes RESULT: Prevented the unstoppable Japanese navy from invading Australia First naval combat carried out entirely by aircraft  carriers were 70 miles apart

The Battle of Midway Midway was a vital island in protecting Hawaii Began on June 4, 1942 Japanese bombers struck first, BUT American warplanes counterattacked Americans sank all 4 Japanese aircraft carriers Japan lost 4 carriers, 250 planes and most of their skilled pilots THE TURNING POINT IN THE PACIFIC!!

The Battle of Guadalcanal Solomon Islands off the coast of Australia  Japanese air base being built to launch attack on Australia August 1942  11,000 marines landed on island – 2,200 Japanese fled into the jungle Lasted 6 months – Japanese abandoned the island – Americans controlled waters Americans, Australians, and New Zealanders began to move towards the Philippines