Battle of the Philippine Sea

Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 1944

Battle of the Philippine Sea, June 1944 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The Battle of the Philippine Sea (fought June 19–20, 1944, between U.S. and Japanese fleets in the Pacific) was the largest carrier-to-carrier battle of World War II and a major victory for the United States.

With the American invasion of Saipan creating a direct threat to the Japanese home islands, Japan decided to force the American fleet into a decisive naval battle to prevent American control of the Marianas. However, over the two-day battle, the Japanese lost more than 400 carrier aircraft, in addition to three carriers, essentially ending Japan’s ability to carry out any more major carrier actions for the remainder of the war.

Learn more about the Battle of the Philippine Sea through historical newspapers from our archives. Explore newspaper articles, headlines, images, and other primary sources below.

Articles and Clippings about the Battle of the Philippine Sea

Newspaper front page news about the U.S. victory at the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944Newspaper front page news about the U.S. victory at the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944 Thu, Jun 22, 1944 – Page 1 · The Daily Notes (Canonsburg, Pennsylvania) · Newspapers.comMap of the location where the Battle of the Philippine Sea took placeMap of the location where the Battle of the Philippine Sea took place Thu, Jun 22, 1944 – 1 · The News-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Michigan) · Newspapers.comEarly statistics about Japanese losses of carriers and planes during Battle of Philippine SeaEarly statistics about Japanese losses of carriers and planes during Battle of Philippine Sea Sat, Jun 24, 1944 – Page 8 · The News (Frederick, Maryland) · Newspapers.comPolitical cartoon following Battle of Philippine Sea about Japanese air power lossesPolitical cartoon following Battle of Philippine Sea about Japanese air power losses Sat, Jun 24, 1944 – 1 · Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, Iowa) · Newspapers.comOpinion on the importance of the Battle of the Philippine Sea, written in June 1944Opinion on the importance of the Battle of the Philippine Sea, written in June 1944 Sun, Jun 25, 1944 – 69 · The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts) · Newspapers.comAmerican pilot gives first-hand account of his experiences during Battle of the Philippine SeaAmerican pilot gives first-hand account of his experiences during Battle of the Philippine Sea Wed, Jun 28, 1944 – Page 3 · Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) · Newspapers.comPhotographs from the 1944 Battle of Philippine Sea showing engagements between planes and shipsPhotographs from the 1944 Battle of Philippine Sea showing engagements between planes and ships Tue, Jul 4, 1944 – Page 1 · The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee) · Newspapers.comPicture of 3 navy fliers by their plane that was damaged during the Battle of the Philippine SeaPicture of 3 navy fliers by their plane that was damaged during the Battle of the Philippine Sea Wed, Jul 5, 1944 – 1 · The Montana Standard (Butte, Montana) · Newspapers.comAccount of US torpedo bombers who attacked a Japanese carrier during Battle of the Philippine SeaAccount of US torpedo bombers who attacked a Japanese carrier during Battle of the Philippine Sea Thu, Jul 6, 1944 – Page 2 · The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, California) · Newspapers.comAdmiral Chester Nimitz defends the decision to not pursue the Japanese fleet after the battleAdmiral Chester Nimitz defends the decision to not pursue the Japanese fleet after the battle Sun, Jul 23, 1944 – 1 · The Honolulu Advertiser (Honolulu, Hawaii) · Newspapers.comBattle of Philippine Sea is called Mariana Turkey Shoot in an article about a fighter squadronBattle of Philippine Sea is called Mariana Turkey Shoot in an article about a fighter squadron Fri, Aug 11, 1944 – 10 · Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin) · Newspapers.comJapanese Japanese "Officer Tells of Battle in Philippine Sea" and the sinking of the Taisho 11 Dec 1945, Tue The Richmond News Leader (Richmond, Virginia) Newspapers.comLieutenant John Dempsey Stokes receives Distinguished Flying Cross for Battle of the Philippine SeaLieutenant John Dempsey Stokes receives Distinguished Flying Cross for Battle of the Philippine Sea 05 Dec 1946, Thu The Town Talk (Alexandria, Louisiana) Newspapers.comSpotlight on Comdr. David McCampbell & his role in various WWII battles, including Philippine SeaSpotlight on Comdr. David McCampbell & his role in various WWII battles, including Philippine Sea 25 Jan 1946, Fri Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.comPhoto of Admiral Soemu Toyoda, commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet at Battle of Philippine SeaPhoto of Admiral Soemu Toyoda, commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet at Battle of Philippine Sea 12 Jul 1953, Sun The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland) Newspapers.comUS admiral writes that Battle of Philippine Sea was a US admiral writes that Battle of Philippine Sea was a "lost opportunity" to quickly end WWII Sun, Dec 31, 1967 – 39 · Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) · Newspapers.comTwo Navy veterans from the USS Mobile share their memories of the Battle of the Philippine SeaTwo Navy veterans from the USS Mobile share their memories of the Battle of the Philippine Sea 19 Jun 1994, Sun The Times-News (Twin Falls, Idaho) Newspapers.comRetired Brig. Gen. Ron Van Stockum writes about his experiences in the Battle of the Philippine SeaRetired Brig. Gen. Ron Van Stockum writes about his experiences in the Battle of the Philippine Sea 14 Aug 2019, Wed The Sentinel-News (Shelbyville, Kentucky) Newspapers.com
"Battle of the Philippine Sea," Newspapers.com Topics (https://www.newspapers.com/topics/world-war2/battle-of-the-philippine-sea/ : accessed April 29, 2025)

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