Which general presided over the formal Japanese surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri?

Douglas MacArthur presided over the formal Japanese surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri.

MacArthur served as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and represented the Allied nations at the September 2, 1945, ceremony. He opened the proceedings, accepted the surrender, and signed the instrument on behalf of the Allied powers.

After MacArthur signed, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz signed as the United States representative. Representatives of other Allied nations then added their signatures, followed by the Japanese delegates’ completion of the document.

MacArthur’s role can be confused with Nimitz’s because both were senior American commanders in the Pacific. Nimitz commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet and signed as the American national representative, while MacArthur presided as the senior Allied commander.