The Battle of Midway in June 1942 was a decisive naval battle between the United States and Japan during World War 2. The Americans were able to defeat the Japanese navy, sinking four of their aircraft carriers, due to breaking the Japanese naval code and intercepting their plans to attack Midway Island. This halted Japan's expansion in the Pacific and marked a major turning point, with the U.S. gaining the offensive and the beginning of the decline of the Japanese navy.