Who signed Japan’s surrender for the Allied powers aboard USS Missouri?

Douglas MacArthur signed Japan’s surrender for the Allied powers aboard USS Missouri.

MacArthur signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers during the ceremony in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. His signature came before those of the other Allied representatives, including Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz for the United States.

MacArthur had been appointed Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers to oversee Japan’s surrender and occupation. He also delivered the ceremony’s opening and closing remarks. The ceremony lasted about 23 minutes and was broadcast internationally.

A common mix-up is identifying Nimitz as the overall Allied signer because he was the senior U.S. naval representative present. Nimitz signed after MacArthur, in a separate capacity. President Harry S. Truman was not aboard Missouri; he remained in Washington. MacArthur’s role at the ceremony reflected his command authority over the Allied occupation, while the document itself carried signatures from representatives of Japan and several Allied governments.