The Battle of Midway, fought in June 1942, marked a pivotal moment in the Pacific Theater during World War II. This naval battle saw the United States Navy decisively defeat an attacking fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy, leading to a significant shift in naval power in the Pacific. The U.S. victory at Midway halted Japanese expansion and allowed Allied forces to begin a campaign of "island-hopping" toward Japan. The successful use of intelligence, including code-breaking, was critical to the victory. Midway is often considered one of the most important naval battles in history due to its strategic implications for the war.