Which senior U.S. Navy officer signed Japan’s 1945 Instrument of Surrender after Douglas MacArthur?

Chester W. Nimitz signed Japan’s 1945 Instrument of Surrender for the United States after Douglas MacArthur.

Nimitz was Fleet Admiral of the United States Navy and had served as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas. At the ceremony, he signed after MacArthur, who had accepted the surrender on behalf of the Allied powers.

Nimitz’s signature represented the United States, while MacArthur’s signature represented the Allied command. This arrangement explains why both prominent American commanders appeared on the document. Nimitz had directed the central Pacific campaign, whereas MacArthur commanded the Southwest Pacific Area.

Other Allied representatives followed Nimitz, including General Hsu Yung-chang for China, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser for the United Kingdom, and Lieutenant General Kuzma Derevyanko for the Soviet Union. Nimitz is therefore not the ceremony’s presiding officer, even though he was the highest-ranking U.S. Navy representative signing for the United States.