Battle of the Coral Sea

Film debut of George Takei.

The three Japanese carriers are identified as of the "Shoho Class." In fact, there were only two Shoho Class carriers and at the Battle of the Coral Sea only Shoho was present. The other two carriers were the much larger Zuikaku and Shokaku. The narrator says that all three Japanese carriers were "sunk or damaged;" however, that is not actually true. Only the Shoho was sunk and the Shokaku was damaged, which kept her out of the Battle of Midway a month later. The Zuikaku was not damaged, but her airplane and aircrew losses were such that she also missed the Battle of Midway.

Opening credits prologue: "One of the greatest and most significant battles in the history of naval warfare occurred in May 1942.

The place: Coral Sea, South Pacific.

The participants: the Japanese Fifth Carrier Division and the United States Pacific Fleet.

The issue at stake was simple and clearcut. The enemy was moving rapidly towards Australia and had to be stopped. He was stopped.

The Allied victory in the South Pacific will stand in world history as a noble monument to the memory of the gallant men and officers of the United States Navy who fought and won the battle of the Coral Sea."

Signed: Rear Admiral John J. Bergen, U S N R President Navy League of the United States

Edited into WW II Theater: Battle of the Coral Sea (2022)