Task Force 17 Explained

Unit Name:Task Force 17
Dates:1941–1942 ?
Country:United States
Branch:United States Navy
Role:Seizing and maintaining Command of the sea
Size:Aircraft Carriers USS Lexington and Yorktown
Command Structure:United States Pacific Fleet
Garrison:Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Battles:Marshalls-Gilberts raids
Invasion of Lae-Salamaua
Battle of the Coral Sea
Battle of Midway
Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
Notable Commanders:Frank Jack Fletcher

Task Force 17 (TF17) was an aircraft carrier task force of the United States Navy during the Pacific Campaign of World War II. TF17 participated in several major carrier battles in the first year of the war.

TF17 was initially centered around . With Yorktown, TF17 engaged Imperial Japanese Navy forces in actions at the Marshalls-Gilberts raids, Invasion of Lae-Salamaua, Battle of the Coral Sea, and the Battle of Midway. Yorktown was sunk at Midway.

Reformed around and commanded by RADM George Murray, TF17 supported Allied forces during the Guadalcanal campaign. At the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, Hornet was sunk. After the battle the task force ceased to exist, the remaining ships (the cruiser and destroyer escorts) were then dispersed to other duties.

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