US Delegation Marks WWII Anniversary in Australia A U.S. Cabinet secretary and Navy vice admiral have joined Australians in commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, which began turning the tide of World War II in the Pacific. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said the military partnership between the United States and Australia has strengthened since their joint forces defeated the Japanese in the aircraft carrier battle fought on May 8, 1942. Commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Adm. Scott Swift, Australia's Governor General Quentin Bryce and veterans of the battle attended Thursday's ceremony at a memorial in Canberra. Napolitano noted a recent agreement that lets U.S. Marines, planes and warships make more use of Australian military facilities.