This Date in Naval History: Battle of the Coral Sea – 7 & 8 May

BySteeljawscribe

Sixty-seven years ago…

Day 1 – “Scratch One Flattop!”:

The first day of the carrier battle of Coral Sea, 7 May 1942, saw the Americans searching for carriers they knew were present and the Japanese looking for ones they feared might be in the area. (more at NHHC)

Day 2: We lose USS Lexington:

. . . Japanese struck the American carriers shortly after Eleven, and, in a fast and violent action, scored with torpedoes on Lexington and with bombs on both carriers… rest of the story here and here

Midway awaits…

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4 Comments

  1. BZ, Sir – forwarded throughout the command and I’m sending my Training Dept here to help prepare our “Midway Syllabus”.

    VR/

    CDR W. A. Bullard III
    70th in Command
    Old Ironsides

  2. Captain –
    Thanks for stopping by and the kind words. Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist their efforts…
    w/r,
    SJS

  3. Remember Pearl Harbor — Keep America Alert!

    America’s oldest living Medal of Honor recipient, living his 100th year is former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Ordnanceman (ACOM), later wartime commissioned Lieutenant John W. Finn, U. S. Navy (Ret.). He is also the last surviving Medal of Honor, “The Day of Infamy”, Japanese Attack on the Hawaiian Islands, Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    ‘Navy Centenarian Sailor’, 103 year old, former enlisted Chief Petty Officer, Aviation Chief Radioman (ACRM, Combat Aircrewman), later wartime commissioned Chief Warrant Officer Julio ‘Jay’ Ereneta, U. S. Navy (Ret.), is a thirty year career veteran of World War One and World War Two. He first flew aircrewman in August 1922; flew rearseat Radioman/Gunner (1920s/1930s) in the tactical air squadrons of the Navy’s first aircraft carriers, USS LANGLEY (CV-1) and USS LEXINGTON (CV-2).

    Visit my photo album tribute to these veteran shipmates:

    http://news.webshots.com/album/123286873BFAAiq
    http://news.webshots.com/album/141695570BONFYl

    San Diego, California

  4. Best book I’ve read on the subject was “Blue Skies and Blood: The Battle of the Coral Sea.” Was once a military book club selection
    One of best parts outlines travails of DD Sims and Oiler Neosho, a little known side event of tragic suffering and heroism.

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