Before the Battle, each fleet was trying to gain the tactical advantage.
- Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto lead the Japanese fleet.
- The Japanese were doing quite well in the Pacific.
- Yamamoto thought the United States only had 2 aircraft carries left (There were 3)
- He set sail with four carries (two of the planned six had been damaged at the Battle of Coral Sea)
- He believed in the superiority of his pilots flying 'Zeros'
- While severely outnumbered, Americans had already broken the JN-25 naval code
- They thus knew exactly when and where the Japanese would attack
- Admiral Chester Nimitz had the USS Yorktown, his third aircraft carrier repaired rapidly
- He mustered forces at Midway, and prepared to meet the Japanese fleet