A Large Signed Photograph of the Surrender of Japan in World War II, Signed by the Three Americans Who Played the Most Prominent Roles in the Pacific Theater: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Admiral William Halsey, and General Douglas MacArthur

It is inscribed to a naval officer who won the Gold Star for leading the 6th Marine Division in the assault and occupation of Okinawa

World War II came to an end on September 2, 1945, on board the USS Missouri. General Douglas MacArthur made an introductory statement and then directed the representatives of Japan to sign the two Instruments of surrender, one each for the Allied and Japanese governments. At 9:04 AM, Foreign Minister Shigemitsu signed, followed two minutes later by General Umezu. General MacArthur then instructed the Allied delegations to sign, first Fleet Admiral Nimitz as United States representative, then the representatives of China, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, Australia, Canada, France, The Netherlands and New Zealand. All signatures were in place by 9:22. Then MacArthur spoke, saying “Let us pray that Peace be now restored to the world, and that God will preserve it always. These proceedings are closed.” The ceremonies concluded at 9:25.

Nimitz was Fleet Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Naval forces in the Pacific in World War II, and was largely responsible for the successful island-hopping campaign against the Japanese that brought the war to a successful conclusion. A photographer enshrined the very moment that Nimitz signed for the United States, and after the war, Nimitz would sometimes autograph copies of that famous photograph. Many of these photographs Nimitz signed are small. This photograph, however, is not.

Behind Nimitz were General Douglas MacArthur, who gave a speech on the occasion and Admiral William Halsey.

In March 1942, four months after the United States entry into World War II, Colonel Lemuel Shepherd took command of the 9th Marine Regiment. He organized, trained, and took the unit overseas as part of the 3rd Marine Division.

Upon promotion to brigadier general in July 1943, Shepherd served at Guadalcanal. In May 1944, he assumed command of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade and led it in the invasion and subsequent recapture of Guam during July and August 1944. For distinguished leadership in this operation, Shepherd received his first Distinguished Service Medal and was promoted to major general. He was then awarded a Legion of Merit for distinguished service in command of operations in the Borgan Bay area.

After organizing the 6th Marine Division from the Brigade, Shepherd commanded it throughout the Okinawa campaign and for exceptionally meritorious service as Commanding General in the assault and occupation of Okinawa, he was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal. He subsequently took the Division to Tsingtao, China. There, on October 25, 1945, he received the surrender of the Japanese forces in this area.

A 13 1/2” x 11” remarkably large, oversize signed photograph of the execution of the Instruments of Surrender, signed and inscribed by Nimitz “To General L.C. Shepherd – C. W. Nimitz, Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy.” MacArthur has signed the length of his body and Halsey has added his signature on his image. Some of Nimitz’s writing is faded but legible.

Nimitz’s aide used to say that the admiral signed these souvenir photographs with the same pen he used to sign the surrender document. A scarce photograph in this large size – the largest we have seen – and a meaningful memento of the end of World War II.