MAY 8, 2025 – U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3 participated in a commemoration service for the Battle of the Coral Sea in Darwin on May 6.
Fought in May 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea marked a turning point in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Known as the first naval engagement in history waged entirely by carrier-based aircraft, it halted the Japanese advance on Port Moresby, preventing the isolation of Australia from its American allies. It was also the first time a major Japanese advance had been halted by allied forces.
This year’s ceremony marked the 83rd anniversary of the battle, and for many, it still holds deep personal significance.
“The Battle of the Coral Sea showed what’s possible when nations stand together in the face of adversity,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Williamson, the executive officer of MRF-D 25.3, whose grandfather served aboard the USS Lexington (CV-2), which was critically damaged during the battle. “The legacy of the brave sailors who fought, like my grandfather, who survived the battle and subsequent sinking of the Lexington, is carried forward today as we train alongside our Australian partners, united in purpose.”
The ceremony was held at the USS Peary Memorial along the Darwin waterfront. The memorial honors the 91 crew members who gave their lives in defense of Australia when the ship was sunk during the bombing of Darwin in 1942. It was hosted by the Australian-American Association of the Northern Territory to recognize the service and sacrifice of both nations and to emphasize the importance of remembering their shared history as the relationship continues to grow.
“The Battle of the Coral Sea is a testament to the power of unity and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity,” said Mr. Bradly Torgan, president of the Australian-American Association of the Northern Territory. “Today, let us reflect on those who fought so bravely and those who supported them.”
The battle would prove to be a strategic victory, setting the stage for the Battle of Midway a month later – considered by many to be the turning point of World War II in favor of the Allies. That momentum carried forward into the Guadalcanal Campaign, where the 1st Marine Division, supported by the Royal Australian Navy, fought for months before returning to Australia to regroup and prepare for the long campaigns ahead in the Pacific. This shared history is reflected in the Southern Cross, a constellation that shone above the battles of the Pacific and now stands as a lasting symbol of partnership and resilience. It is permanently embroidered on the logo of 1st Marine Regiment, currently serving as the MRF-D 25.3 Command Element.
Though Japan was once an adversary in the Pacific, the decades since have transformed that relationship into a powerful partnership. Marines with MRF-D along with the Australian Defence Force and the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force will soon train together in Exercise Southern Jackaroo 25, designed to enhance interoperability and combined capabilities in a realistic training environment.
Eighty-three years after the Battle of the Coral Sea, the United States and Australia remain united in purpose, bound by history, and committed to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific.
Story by 1st Lt. Samuel DeRobertis
Marine Rotational Force – Darwin