Victory over Japan (V-J Day)

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur


"Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won."
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur on the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, 2 September 1945

President Harry S. Truman


“On land and sea and in the air, American men and women have given their lives so that this day of ultimate victory might come and assure the survival of a civilized world.”
President Harry S. Truman, V-J Day Message, 1 September 1945

Back to top

Overview

VICTORY OVER JAPAN (V-J) DAY - World War II

On 2 September 1945, the Empire of Japan formally surrendered to the Allies, or "United Nations," in a ceremony conducted aboard the battleship USS MISOSOURI in Tokyo Harbor. Although the Japanese government notified the Allies of its acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration Defining Terms for Japanese Surrender Accord on 15 August, the instrument of surrender documents were not signed until this date. The proceeding brought an official end to World War II.


Designated as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in the Pacific (SCAP) for the occupation of Japan, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur signed the "instrument of surrender," on behalf of the United Nations, and declared, "It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past.” Ten more signatures were made, by representatives of the United States, China, Britain, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, respectively. U.S. Navy Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz signed for the United States. When the 20-minute-long ceremony ended, the last true world war, and most devastating armed conflict in history, was officially declared over.

  • Whether they served in the Army Ground Forces, Army Air Forces or Army Service Forces, we honor and remember the 11 million American Soldiers who defended freedom and defeated fascism and tyranny 75 years ago.
  • Operations in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater demonstrated the U.S. Army’s capacity then as now to fight anywhere, anytime in the most adverse conditions to achieve victory.
  • For 75 years the U.S. Army has demonstrated that former enemies could become friends united in the pursuit of freedom for all people.

DID YOU KNOW

  • Of the 91 U.S. Army divisions during World War II, 88 were deployed to combat theaters, with 22 in the Pacific Theater.
  • U.S. Army soldiers who served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater fought on large islands and small, as well as on the mainland of Asia.
  • The U.S. Army remained in Japan after the end of World War II, first as an occupying force, but then an ally and partner in the defense of a free Asia.

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur signs the surrender document on behalf of the Allies, or United nations, NARA

General of the Army Douglas MacArthur signs the surrender document on behalf of the Allies, or United nations, NARA

Instrument of Surrender Documents, the U.S. copy, NARA


Back to top

Paintings from the Army Art Collection

Click here to learn more about the U.S. Army Combat Artist Program https://history.army.mil/museums/armyArtists/

"'Follow Me' U.S. Army in Action Series: Leyte, Philippine Islands, 20 October 1944. The American Army returned to the Philippines over the beaches of Leyte Island."
"'Surrender Aboard U.S.S. Missouri' by Sidney Simon, 02 Sep 1945"
"Painting, Watercolor/Ink, On Paper, 'Welcome', by Hanlen, John G., 1945, World War II"
"Painting, Watercolor/pencil, On Paper, 'On Break in the Bivouac Area', by Szwejkowski, Adam, 5 APR 1945, World War II"
"Painting, Gouache, On Paper, 'After Action', by Szwejkowski, Adam, 12 FEB 1945, World War II"
"Painting, Oil, On Board, 'Chow Line, Okinawa', by Stabile, Francis P., United States, 1945, World War II"
"Painting, Watercolor/Ink, On Paper, 'Army Base In The Jungles', by Anderson, Leslie E., MAY 1946, World War II"
"Watercolor on paper, 'Dry Monsoon' in Burma 1945 by Army artist George Frederick Cole. "
"Painting, Ink/Watercolor, On Paper, 'Bridge On The Bamban', by Vidar, Frede, Philippine Islands, 27 JAN 1945, World War II"
Back to top

Army Museum Enterprise (AME) Artifacts and Exhibits

For more information on Army Museums go to https://history.army.mil/museums/

Artifacts from the White Sands Missile Range Museum: Manhattan Project and Trinity Atomic bomb test

"Model of McDonald Ranch house used during the Trinity Atomic bomb test"
"Scale Model Of First Atomic Bomb Detonated at Trinity Site"
"Fastax camera used to record the detonation of the first atomic bomb on July 16th, 1945"

Artifacts from West Point Museum

"The .45 caliber Colt 'Peacemaker' was carried by the General Wainwright until near the end of the siege of Corregidor. In April 1942 General Wainwright attempted to send the pistol to General MacArthur on one of the last flights leaving Corregidor, but the plane was forced down by enemy action. To prevent the pistol falling into enemy hands it was hidden in the trunk of a tree and not recovered until after the war."
"The pen illustrated between the documents is the original used by General Douglas MacArthur to sign the instrument of surrender accepting the Japanese capitulation on board the USS Missouri on 2 September 1945. The documents are facsimiles of the originals."
"Throughout the War in the Pacific, the Japanese had defended stubbornly against the Americans. But tenacious fighting by American Soldiers ultimately secured victory. The bold leadership of Generals Douglas MacArthur, Robert Eichelberger and Jonathan Wainwright during the conflict in the pacific culminated in Victory over Japan. In the Central Pacific, US Army forces in conjunction with the Marines and Navy captured Japanese island strongholds in a series of amphibious operations. The items displayed here are from POW's, as well as, captured Japanese accouterments from the conflict."