The Battle of the Coral Sea where the US Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy fight and neither side first ever saw each other and ended with the US Navy losing the USS Lexington while Yorktown was damaged while the Japanese fleet lost only the light carrier Shoho while Shokaku was damaged. However the outcome of this battle had very significant effect on a much larger battle later that year, Battle of Midway.

This is because the Americans have indirectly tipped the balance to their favor for the Midway showdown because all three Japanese carriers that were involved in the Battle of the Coral Sea were to have a role in the Battle of Midway. Shoho was supposed to provide air support for the Japanese landing forces. Zuikaku and Shokaku were to be with the four carriers, Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu in engaging the American carriers but since Shoho was sunk, Shokaku was docked for 3-4 months to patch her up and Zuikaku was out because she had no more planes. So instead of facing 2 to 1 carrier battle, the Americans faced a 1.3 to 1 carrier battle. So despite the US Navy losing one fleet carrier, Lady Lex's sacrifice was in overall a necessary one.