The Battle of Midway, fought in June 1942, was a crucial turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II. It marked the first major defeat for Japan, halting their expansion in the Pacific after the attack on Pearl Harbor. American forces, having broken Japanese naval codes, anticipated the attack and successfully targeted four Japanese aircraft carriers, sinking them. This significant loss diminished Japan's naval strength and shifted the balance of power to the United States. Midway also boosted American morale and set the stage for future offensives in the Pacific, ultimately contributing to Japan's eventual defeat.