HMA Ships AUSTRALIA and HOBART continued to patrol the western part of the Coral Sea, to prevent Japanese transports moving towards Port Moresby. US air attacks in the eastern Coral Sea badly damaged the SHOKAKU but simultaneous air attacks by Japanese aircraft sank the USS LEXINGTON. Despite the loss of the LEXINGTON, the Battle of the Coral Sea was a tactical victory for the Allies, as the Japanese lost substantial numbers of aircraft, and thus weakened the Japanese forces which were later committed to the Battle of Midway.
Ruby Boye a Coastwatcher at Vanikoro in the Santa Cruz Island group completed the last of her radio transmissions relating to enemy ship movements during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Ruby was the wife of a timber company manager and used a Navy radio to send coded met data and relay reports. When it became apparent that Ruby might be executed as a spy if captured she was appointed a honorary Third Officer in the WRANS, her uniform was later dropped by parachute.
