Frank Jack Fletcher
"Portland" joined Task Force 17 (TF 17), commanded by Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher and centered around the carrier escorted by "Portland" as well as cruisers and plus the destroyers , , , , , and and oiler and "Tippecanoe". TF 17 departed Tongatabu on 27 April "en route" to the Coral Sea. On the morning of 1 May, TF 17 joined with Task Force 11 (TF 11) about northwest of New Caledonia. TF 17 completed refueling the next day, but TF 11 reported that they would not be finished fueling until 4 May. Fletcher elected to take TF 17 northwest towards the Louisiades.