Turning point of the Pacific war where U.S. dive bombers sank 4 Japanese fleet carriers.

• A. Battle of Midway
• B. Battle of Coral Sea
• C. Battle of Leyte Gulf
• D. Iwo Jima

Answer: (A)

Midway marks a turning point in the Pacific War because it neutralized Japan’s carrier-ambition at a stroke, shifting the balance of naval power to the United States. After deciphering Japanese plans, U.S. forces set an ambush around Midway Atoll. Dive bombers from the carriers Enterprise and Yorktown struck when Japanese carriers were vulnerable on deck, sinking Akagi and Kaga early, with Soryu and Hiryu falling to later air strikes. The destruction of all four fleet carriers and the loss of many skilled aircrews crippled Japan’s ability to wage large-scale carrier-based offensives for the rest of the war. This shift allowed the United States to take the initiative and begin the island-hopping campaigns that would push toward Japan.