TF 11 sortied on 15 April to join the task force southwest of the New Hebrides. It was this joint force, together with a cruiser-destroyer group, which won the Battle of the Coral Sea on 7–8 May, driving back a southward thrust of the Japanese which threatened Australia and New Zealand and their seaborne life lines. In this battle was sunk and "New Orleans" stood by, her men diving overboard to rescue survivors and her boat crews closing the burning carrier, saving 580 of "Lexington"s crew who were subsequently landed at Nouméa. "New Orleans" then patrolled the eastern Solomons until sailing to replenish at Pearl Harbor.