We were excited to see the Battleship Missouri, where the Japanese signed the surrender to General MacArthur in 1945, ending World War II at Tokyo Bay, Japan. In addition to World War II, the Missouri was brought back into action for the Gulf War, where it launched the first Tomahawk missiles.Statue of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, Commander in Chief of the US Pacific Fleet during World War II. Nimitz is from Fredericksburg Texas, and when we were in Texas in 2022 we visited the Museum of the Pacific War, which is located next to the hotel his family owned there.“Embracing Peace” by Seward Johnson.Six of the ship’s nine 16-Inch .50 caliber guns and turrets. The other three guns and turrets are in the rear of the ship.Armor piercing 2,700 pound high capacity projectile.Inside one of the turrets.The three turrets are accessible from this room.This marks the location of the desk where the surrender was signed.Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed on behalf of the Japanese government. General Yoshijiro Umezu then signed for the Japanese armed forces, and his aides wept as he made his signature. Supreme Commander MacArthur next signed, declaring, “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.” Nine more signatures were made, by the United States, China, Britain, the USSR, Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand, respectively. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz signed for the United States. The ceremony lasted 20 minutes.US Navy message announcing Japan’s surrender.CEC: Combat Engagement Center.The first Tomahawk missile was launched from this station during the first Gulf War.Communications center.Crew bunks.Executive officer quarters.Executive officer quarters.Special dining room in the executive quarters with special executive China place settings. Three presidents have dined at this table – Presidents Truman, Bush 41 and Bush 43.Kitchen.
