FIRST UP HERALD, I DO NOT LIKE BEING CALLED A LIAR BY SOMEONE I'VE CAUGHT LYING IN PRIOR POSTS!!!!  Try putting up an arguement that makes some sense, and doesn't ignore historical reality, instead on falling backj on lies and insult!!!

Try reading your  own map!  The Japanese don't need to come within range of any land base strike a/c except those from Henderson -- and since Henderson is a known location and the Japanese had longer ranged a/c, even that claim is a farce!  As is your claim that the USAAF had P38s in the Solomons at the time of the carrier battles.  The first P38s didn't arrive (loaned my McArthur) until November!  Also, your statement that the A20 outranged the Kate and Val is incorrect.  The pre-G model of the A20 had a range with maximum payload of just over 1000 miles, marginally less than that of the Kate, and about 100 miles less than that of the Val.

    Try looking at the geography and the air coverage as well as the prevailing winsds Larry. As i said you don't know the first thionmg about the subject or you would see the threat axis drawn for you and the approach routes laid out. No more BS, from you, Larry,. this is MY subject area. I prepared the damned map and i know exactly what it says.since I LAID IT OUT FOR YOU.

The A-20 had an air endurance radius of  of one hour out from its base which is about the same as that of  most carrier borne aircraft of the day. Don't look at  Wiki  and read a number like 1300 km for a Val or 1600 km for a 1900 km for a Kate or 1600 km for a havoc and try to tell me what the radius of an aircraft was. Carrier planes had to burn up almost a third of their air time to form uop a strike or to land. their effective reach is not some range number McGee. Its measured in roughly in thirds of air endurance time whereas a landbased plane is measured in fourths especially when under BURDEN. Its just one of those little factoids that you conveneinetly don't have, which explains why the  Japanese struck at about 225 to 250 miles while Americans teneded at least wearly in the war to strike at no greater than 150 miles range if they could help it. The functional radius of the Havoc burdened was about 300-350  miles or 1 HOUR, McGee, so you've just stepped on Mr. Johnson again.

Eastern Solomons was a clear victory for Fletcher, by any REASONABLE standard.  Your claim otherwise is either an out rght LIE or the result of mental defect (since that seems to be the way you think a debat should be conducted).  Fletcher sank a CVL, seriously damaged a CV, and prevented the Japanese from knocking out Henderson, in return for serious damage to a CV and a very favorable K/L ratio in a/c.  NO WAY that can be called a defeat by anyone with any grasp at all!!

The Eastern Solomons did not stop the Japanese from pursuing their objectives . At least the Coral Sea defeat fletcher suffered accomplished that much. At best you could argue a tactical draw;  where the carrier forces were almost evenly matched and  neuitralized each other. Fletcher was unable to drive the Japanese off. THAT under the circumstances is an American  DEFEAT.
 

Ref Halsey's orders:  quote: "If a situation presents itself, or can be created, to destroy a major portion of the enemy's carriers, THAT BECOMES YOUR PRIMARY MISSION!!!

But Halsey was too stupid to create it and was too stupid to recognize [as apparently are you] that if he had stayed put as was planned he would get his opportunity to exercise the option to whack those carriers as Ozawa had to attack to draw him