Final answer:
During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, important naval vessels and infrastructure such as aircraft carriers, submarine pens, and oil storage facilities were not destroyed. These assets enabled the U.S. Navy to quickly recover and successfully engage in battles like Coral Sea and Midway, where they turned the tide against Japanese advances in the Pacific.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan sought to significantly weaken the American naval presence in the Pacific. However, not all key components of the United States Navy were destroyed or even targeted in the attack. The Japanese forces missed several critical naval vessels that proved pivotal in the ensuing Pacific War.
Subsequently, the United States Navy was able to counteract Japanese advances, particularly at notable battles such as the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. In these encounters, the U.S. Navy, leveraging their intact carriers and industrial strength, managed to halt Japanese expansion and initiate a strategic offensive.