Who opened the 1945 surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri as Supreme Commander for the Allies?

Douglas MacArthur opened the 1945 surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri as Supreme Commander for the Allies.

MacArthur arrived on Missouri before the Japanese delegation and began the ceremony at 9:02 a.m. Japan Standard Time on September 2, 1945. He spoke before a group of microphones as the proceedings were broadcast around the world.

MacArthur had been appointed Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan and was responsible for receiving the surrender and directing the occupation. During the ceremony, he signed the instrument on behalf of the Allied powers. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz then signed as the United States representative.

MacArthur is sometimes confused with Nimitz because both were senior American commanders in the Pacific. Their roles at the ceremony were different: MacArthur presided as the Allied supreme commander, while Nimitz signed as the U.S. representative.