Chester Nimitz signed for the United States immediately after MacArthur at Japan’s surrender ceremony.
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz signed the Instrument of Surrender as the United States representative at approximately 9:12 a.m. Japan Standard Time. General Douglas MacArthur had signed first in his role as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.
Nimitz had commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas during the war. His forces directed major naval and amphibious operations across the central Pacific, including the campaigns that moved toward the Japanese home islands.
The signing order reflected both command responsibilities and Allied representation. After Nimitz, General Hsu Yung-chang signed for China, followed by representatives of the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Nimitz later signed with two pens, one of which is held by the U.S. Naval Academy Museum.