The Battle of the Coral Sea, the first modern naval battle and a precursor to Midway a month later, starts on this day. It was the first naval battle in which the opposing fleets never saw each other save by airplane. It was a tactical loss, in terms of ships lost or damaged, for the Americans, but a strategic victory, as it was the first time that a Japanese foray was stymied.  715 Americans died in the battle. Today is a day to honor and remember them all