Post Scripts: World War II ended 64 years ago

It was 64 years ago today, Sept. 2, 1945 World War II had ended. General Douglas Mac Arthur spoke from the Battleship USS Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay. "We are gathered here, representatives of the major warring powers to conclude a solemn agreement whereby peace may be restored. 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 – a world founded upon faith and understanding – a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish – or freedom, tolerance and justice."

In a few minutes his speech was over and he invited the Japanese delegates to sign the instrument of surrender. After the delegates of Japan had finished General MacArthur put his signature on the document. Other representatives of the Allied Powers followed suit.

You can imagine with what agony the Japanese affixed their names to the papers. It was a deserved, but most humiliating moment for them and Japan.

When all the representatives had signed, Mac Arthur announced slowly: "Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world and that God will preserve it always. These proceedings are closed."

At the close of the ceremony the skies over Tokyo Bay were filled with formations of B-29 bombers, carriers and fighter planes, flashing over the Battleship Missouri and the Naval Armada in one final, powerful roar of engines in an impressive salute. A salute of victory. One of our residents here in San Marcos, Melvin Bricker, a former Kansas neighbor, was on one of the ships in the harbor that day.

In his speech to the American people that day MacArthur said" Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won." He concluded: "And so my fellow countrymen, today I report to you that your sons and daughters have served you well and faithfully."

Yes, I was there on the Battleship USS Missouri and witnessed that special day. As a member of General MacArthur’s press staff, it was my job that day to insure that all the accredited news men and photographers had space to do their jobs. Just prior to the start of the ceremony a spot reserved for me and two reporters to stand during the signing ceremony was taken up by three Russian reporters who had not been on the list. How they got aboard the ship no one knew. I was instructed to put them somewhere. Since there were no more space and they couldn’t understand English, I just had to let them have our special spots.

Finally the three of us climbed a ladder and found ourselves in a crowded gun turret. It was from this point we watched the proceedings. I was able to get some good pictures by aiming my camera over General MacArthur’s left shoulder and we could hear all that was said.

Two months after that special day, I was back home with my wife and parents. I had been overseas 18 months.