Which U.S. admiral signed Japan’s surrender as America’s representative after MacArthur?

Chester Nimitz signed Japan’s surrender as America’s representative after Douglas MacArthur. Nimitz signed the Instrument of Surrender aboard USS Missouri on September 2, 1945.

MacArthur signed first in his role as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. Nimitz then signed for the United States at approximately 9:12 a.m. Tokyo time. Representatives of China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand followed.

Nimitz was the U.S. Navy admiral who served as Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas during World War II. He directed major campaigns across the central Pacific, including the advance toward the Japanese home islands.

William Halsey is sometimes chosen because his Third Fleet surrounded Missouri and the ceremony occurred aboard his flagship. Halsey did not sign the surrender document, however. Nimitz represented the United States at the signing, while MacArthur represented the Allied command.