The Battle of the Philippine Sea is a likely candidate for the title. It was the largest ever carrier vs. carrier battle, and two forces that looked relatively equal on paper met near the Marianas Islands. The result was so lopsided that it was dubbed the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot." The US lost 123 aircraft, 80 of those were ditched in the sea near their carriers. The US also suffered a damaged battleship. On the other side, the Japanese lost three carriers and well over 500 aircraft--along with the vast majority of their pilots. Japan's carrier force never recovered an offensive punch.

While the two forces seemed to be equal, improvements in nearly every aspect of American naval warfare were critical. The US was able to field improved carrier aircraft that were every bit the equal of the Zero, and many superior aircraft. Tactics and equipment had improved both in the air and on the sea. Antiaircraft gunnery was markedly improved over the early stages of the war, both in accuracy due to radio proximity (or VT) shells and in volume of fire due to increased numbers of antiaircraft guns. Even with a conservative approach designed to ensure that the invasion of the Marianas was secured, the American navy was able to savage the Japanese force that opposed them.

As always, followup questions from OP and others are encouraged.