Historic WWII USS Missouri Japanese Surrender Cera

Updated September 9, 2026

Exceptional and historically significant World War II U.S. Navy archive connected to the formal Japanese surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, the event that formally ended World War II. At the heart of this remarkable collection is a period “Copy of Surrender Ceremony Held Aboard the USS Missouri on 2 September 1945,” accompanied by detailed typed ceremony material, diagrams, assembly instructions, placement charts and lists identifying the military leaders and Allied representatives who were to be present for the historic signing. The documents include an extraordinary main-deck plan of the USS Missouri showing the arrangement of the ship for the surrender ceremony, including the surrender table, microphone area, Japanese delegation, Allied representatives, press area, ship's turrets and other designated locations. Similar USS Missouri surrender deck plans are preserved and documented by the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command. Also included are typed dignitary and formation sheets showing the planned placement of those attending the ceremony. Names appearing within the documents include some of the most important American military commanders of World War II, including Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Admiral William F. Halsey Jr., Admiral Richmond K. Turner, Vice Admiral John S. McCain, Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood Jr., Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson, Vice Admiral Frederick C. Sherman, and numerous other admirals, generals and senior officers. Additional sheets identify the positions of the Allied representatives, including representatives of the United States, China, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand and the Netherlands. The ceremony ultimately included General Douglas MacArthur as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz for the United States, and representatives of the other Allied nations. Official records confirm that Japan's Instrument of Surrender was signed aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Particularly fascinating is the typed “Procedure for Assembling on Veranda Deck for Actual Ceremony.” This document provides a minute-by-minute outline for the historic event, beginning with officers taking their assigned positions, followed by the arrival and placement of the Japanese representatives. It specifies the planned order of signing for the Japanese Empire followed by the United States, Republic of China, United Kingdom, Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand and the Netherlands. Another page gives instructions concerning General MacArthur, Fleet Admiral Nimitz, Admiral Halsey and the other guests immediately prior to the ceremony. Perhaps the most personal and compelling piece in the collection is a September 2, 1945 letter written aboard USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay by a sailor who was actually aboard the battleship on the morning of the surrender ceremony. Addressed “Dear Jack,”

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