Also know as VJ day.
The war ended on September 2, 1945, with the signing of the Instrument of Surrender by Japan aboard the U.S. Navy battleship USS Missouri. (Truman picked Mighty Mo. over another BB) My old ship Aircraft carrier USS Lexington was also in the Tokyo bay along with many more ships and a big fly over. My Father ( now deceased) also served in the Pacific Theater 1943 to 1946.

The Japanese Instrument of Surrender was the written agreement that formalized the surrender of the Empire of Japan, marking the end of hostilities in World War II. It was signed by representatives from the Empire of Japan, the United States of America, the Republic of China, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of Canada, the Provisional Government of the French Republic, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Dominion of New Zealand. The signing took place on the deck of USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Instrument_of_Surrender

My uncle was there, he also spent time there as part of the Occupational Forces, lives in Paris Texas, 99 and still going.

And to think not many kids today would even know what you were referring to.

We owe them for everything we cherish..........

We owe so much to the Greatest Generation. I had the privilege of going onto the Missouri and standing very close to the signing point when we visited Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor is a very somber and remember place to visit.

Greatest Generation is a true understatement.

Think about all the change he has seen in his life.

Big deal to me. Both parents served. Mother a nurse in N. Africa to Italy and dad was in the Aluetians. Very proud of both of them and great respect for anyone who puts on the uniform.

I agree, mom was too young but my dad served in N. Africa, Italy, France and was seriously wounded in Germany. I bet your mom saw things being a nurse than no one ever needs to see again.

My Dad was there with the 11th Airborne after fighting in the Philippines. I've been told the 11th was the first Occupational Forces to land in Japan.

My dad was Army. My parents got married in early 1942 and went on their honeymoon. They went to what, in those days, was called a tourist court(now a motel). Dad was a First Sergeant on the post at Altus Oklahoma. Dad got up the next morning and went to buy gas. The guy at the filling station asked him what he thought about the big fight. Dad thought there must have been a boxing natch. He asked "What big fight?" The guy said that the Japs had bombed Pearl Harbor. Dad found a pay phone, called the Company Commander who asked where the HELL he was. Dad reminded him that he had gotten married the day before and was on his honeymoon. He said he would head back. The Commander asked him what to do. Dad told him to take notes. Call all personnel living off the post to barracks. Cancel all leaves. There was more. Then he said to close the Officers Club and NCO Club. The boss told him that was going to cause problems with the Officers wives. His in particular. He couldn't do that. Dad told him that we are at war, it's in the regulations, and his boss would be calling shortly to assure that everything was done. The guy said that he would do it but would catch hell from his wife.

Dad went back to the Post after parking Mom with her parents. He got to visit some but shipped out for Europe in about 90 days. The Germans were also causing a lot of problems in Europe. He was gone for about 3 years with no leaves. What they didn't know was that Mom was pregnant with me before he left. When he finally got back we saw each other for the first time They told me that this was my daddy. I asked where my other daddy was. That had to be a tense moment. They asked "What other daddy?". I said the one in the picture. They explained that this was him.

I know he served in Africa, Europe, Pearl Harbor, Panama and the Philipines. Evidently, for some reason, he was in Korea but not during the Korean War.

When the Army Air Corps was formed he went there and retired from the Air Force after 23 years of service. Like a lot of others, he wouldn't talk about the war years.

I joined the USAF at 21 YOA. I always knew I would. But, after 4 years I decided to become a civilian.