Indeed, this defeat was the turning point for the war in the Pacific, as it allowed the Americans to go on the offensive and start the island-hopping that would characterize the rest of their military campaign.
From June 4th to June 7, 1942, the Japanese attacked the tiny US island of Midway in an attempt to destroy American aircraft carriers. However, having broken the Japanese code, the Americans were ready when the attack began. Therefore, despite hitting some key strategic targets, such as the Midway airfield, the aircraft carriers survived. Moreover, the Americans followed this offensive with a counterattack. After the first two waves not doing much damage, the third American attack wave destroyed four Japanese aircraft carriers. With their fleet decimated, the Japanese retreated. Indeed, this defeat was the turning point for the war in the Pacific, as it allowed the Americans to go on the offensive and start the island-hopping that would characterize the rest of their military campaign.