One example of a battle between two aircraft carriers where the U.S. Navy was not victorious is the Battle of the Philippine Sea, which took place during World War II, specifically from June 19 to June 20, 1944. This battle is often considered a turning point in the Pacific War, and although the U.S. Navy emerged victorious in terms of strategic outcomes, it involved several key moments where the Japanese Navy managed to inflict some damage.
However, if we focus on a specific battle between aircraft carriers where the U.S. Navy was not entirely victorious, it’s crucial to look at the Battle of Midway, which occurred earlier, in June 1942. While the United States decisively defeated the Imperial Japanese Navy and sunk four Japanese aircraft carriers, there were battles where U.S. carriers did not come out on top. One example is the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, fought from August 23 to 25, 1942.
The Battle of the Eastern Solomons was a confrontation between U.S. Navy and Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carriers in the Solomon Islands region. The U.S. Navy's aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and the Japanese carrier Ryujo faced off. In this battle, the U.S. lost the USS Lexington, which was heavily damaged and forced to retreat, leaving a significant gap in American naval strength. Despite this setback, the U.S. managed to down a significant number of Japanese planes and damaged the Ryujo.
Although the U.S. Navy’s losses in battles such as the Eastern Solomons and Midway were notable, these conflicts ultimately shaped the strategic direction of the Pacific War. The victories at Midway and the Eastern Solomons helped the U.S. gain momentum, but these battles were by no means free from casualties or setbacks, with both sides suffering significant losses, including aircraft and experienced pilots.