Who presided over the Allied surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri in September 1945?

Douglas MacArthur presided over the Allied surrender ceremony aboard USS Missouri in September 1945.

MacArthur served as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers and represented the Allied nations at the ceremony on 2 September 1945. He opened the proceedings, accepted Japan’s surrender, and signed the Instrument of Surrender first for the Allied powers. Admiral Chester Nimitz then signed as the United States representative.

MacArthur’s role reflected his position in the planned occupation and administration of Japan. After the signing, he became the central Allied authority overseeing Japan’s occupation, demilitarization, and political reconstruction.

Chester Nimitz is a frequent alternative answer because he was the U.S. Navy’s senior Pacific commander and also signed the document. However, Nimitz did not preside over the ceremony. William Halsey commanded the U.S. Third Fleet in the area, but MacArthur was the senior Allied official conducting the surrender proceedings.