Which U.S. admiral signed Japan’s surrender document for the United States?

Chester W. Nimitz signed Japan’s surrender document for the United States.

Nimitz was the U.S. Fleet Admiral and Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet during the Pacific War. At the 2 September 1945 ceremony aboard USS Missouri, General Douglas MacArthur first signed as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. Nimitz then signed as the United States representative.

Nimitz’s role should not be confused with MacArthur’s. MacArthur directed the occupation and accepted the surrender for the Allied powers collectively, while Nimitz represented the United States specifically. Their positions reflected the separate political and military responsibilities at the ceremony.

Nimitz had commanded the Pacific Fleet since December 1941 and oversaw major campaigns including the Battle of Midway and the Central Pacific advance. His signature therefore connected the final surrender ceremony with the U.S. naval command that had conducted much of the Pacific campaign.