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VJ Day in Pictures

VJ Day in Pictures

By Callie Oettinger

In the afternoon of August 14, 1945, in Japan—the evening of August 14 in the United States—Japan’s leadership agreed to the Allies’ terms of September.

U.S. and Soviet sailors celebrating victory on 10 August 1945, after a premature report of Japan's surrender was received at their Alaskan base. Credit: U.S. Navy. — U.S. and Soviet sailors celebrating victory on 10 August 1945, after a premature report of Japan’s surrender was received at their Alaskan base. Credit: U.S. Navy.

"GI's at the Rainbow Corner Red Cross Club in Paris, France, whoop it up after buying the special edition of the Paris Post, which carried the banner headline, `JAPS QUIT.'" Credit: National Archives. — “GI’s at the Rainbow Corner Red Cross Club in Paris, France, whoop it up after buying the special edition of the Paris Post, which carried the banner headline, `JAPS QUIT.'” Credit: National Archives.

President Truman announces Japan's surrender, at the White House, Washington, DC, August 14, 1945. Credit: National Archives. — President Truman announces Japan’s surrender, at the White House, Washington, DC, August 14, 1945. Credit: National Archives.

New York City celebrating the surrender of Japan. They threw anything and kissed anybody in Times Square., 08/14/1945. Credit: National Archives.

V-J Day in New York City. Crowds gather in Times Square to celebrate the surrender of Japan., 08/15/1945. Credit: National Archives.

Americans of Italian descent in New York City wave flags and toss paper into the air as they celebrate the news of Japan's unconditional surrender to the Allies on August 14, 1945. Credit: National Archives. — Americans of Italian descent in New York City wave flags and toss paper into the air as they celebrate the news of Japan’s unconditional surrender to the Allies on August 14, 1945. Credit: National Archives.

Enlisted men aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CV-14) hear the news of Japan's surrender, 08/14/1945. Credit: National Archives. — Enlisted men aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga (CV-14) hear the news of Japan’s surrender, 08/14/1945. Credit: National Archives.

Personnel at Naval Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, celebrate news of Japan's surrender, 14 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy. — Personnel at Naval Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, celebrate news of Japan’s surrender, 14 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy.

Enlisted men at Naval Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, celebrate the announcement of Japan's surrender, 14 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy. — Enlisted men at Naval Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, celebrate the announcement of Japan’s surrender, 14 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy.

USS Bougainville (CVE-100) crewmen celebrate after listening to the announcement of Japan's surrender, 14 August 1945. Their ship was then transporting aircraft to the central Pacific.. Credit: U.S. Navy. — USS Bougainville (CVE-100) crewmen celebrate after listening to the announcement of Japan’s surrender, 14 August 1945. Their ship was then transporting aircraft to the central Pacific.. Credit: U.S. Navy.

Sailors at Naval Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, listen to a radio broadcast of news of Japan's surrender, 14 August 1945 — Sailors at Naval Air Station, Beaufort, South Carolina, listen to a radio broadcast of news of Japan’s surrender, 14 August 1945

New York City celebrates Japan's Surrender. Credit: National Archives. — New York City celebrates Japan’s Surrender. Credit: National Archives.

Japanese Prisoners of War listen to the Emperor's surrender broadcast, in a prison camp on Guam, 15 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy. — Japanese Prisoners of War listen to the Emperor’s surrender broadcast, in a prison camp on Guam, 15 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy.

Japanese Prisoners of War on Guam stand with heads bowed after listening to Emperor Hirohito announce Japan's acceptance of Allied surrender terms, 15 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy. — Japanese Prisoners of War on Guam stand with heads bowed after listening to Emperor Hirohito announce Japan’s acceptance of Allied surrender terms, 15 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy.

Crew members on USS Wileman (DE-22) celebrate upon hearing of Japan's acceptance of surrender terms, circa 15 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy. — Crew members on USS Wileman (DE-22) celebrate upon hearing of Japan’s acceptance of surrender terms, circa 15 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy.

Peace Celebrations at Naval Amphibious Base, Manus, Admiralty Islands, 15 August 1945 Men of the 22nd Special Naval Construction Battalion listen to a radio broadcast on the Japanese surrender. Credit: U.S. Navy.

Pyrotechnic display in Leyte Gulf, Philippines, in celebration of the end of World War II, 15 August 1945. Note men watching the show from the mast crosstrees in the upper right foreground. Credit: U.S. Navy.

USS Sanctuary (AH-17) Commander William VanC. Brandt, USNR, Commanding Officer, welcomes "King Neptune", the King's Royal Court and "Davey Jones" on board in mid-Pacific for the trial of "Public Enemy Number One" and a V-J Day celebration, 15 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy. — USS Sanctuary (AH-17) Commander William VanC. Brandt, USNR, Commanding Officer, welcomes “King Neptune”, the King’s Royal Court and “Davey Jones” on board in mid-Pacific for the trial of “Public Enemy Number One” and a V-J Day celebration, 15 August 1945. Credit: U.S. Navy.

Admiral William F. Halsey, Commander, Third Fleet, and other senior U.S. and British Navy officers toast the end of World War II, aboard USS Missouri (BB-63), 22 August 1945. Those present are (left to right): Rear Admiral Robert B. Carney, USN; Captain J.P.L. Reid, RN; Vice Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings, RN; Admiral Halsey; Vice Admiral John S. McCain, USN, and Rear Admiral Wilder D. Baker, USN. Credit: U.S. Navy.

Front page of Patrol, newspaper of the U.S. Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, for 29 August 1945, celebrating the end of World War II. In addition to headlines and a patriotic cartoon, it features an article by Clarence Strong Williams, entitled V-J Day - Dawn of Peace. Credit: U.S. Navy. — Front page of Patrol, newspaper of the U.S. Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, for 29 August 1945, celebrating the end of World War II. In addition to headlines and a patriotic cartoon, it features an article by Clarence Strong Williams, entitled V-J Day – Dawn of Peace. Credit: U.S. Navy.

Retired Army Col. Jay Vargas “Medal of Honor” recipient, pays respect to the American Flag during opening ceremonies of the 60th Anniversary commemoration celebration of V-J Day held at North Island, Naval Air Station, Coronado, Calif., Aug. 30, 2005. President George Bush spoke at the event. Credit: U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald

An individual in attendance for the 60th Anniversary commemoration celebration of V-J Day at North Island, Naval Air Station, Coronado, Calif., Aug. 30, 2005, listens intently as President George Bush addresses the crowd. Credit: U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald.

CALLIE OETTINGER was Command Posts’ first managing editor. Her interest in military history, policy and fiction took root when she was a kid, traveling and living the life of an Army Brat, and continues today.