Historic Photos-Surrender of Japanese Garrison of Mili Atoll in WWII

Historic Photos
Surrender of Japanese Garrison of Mili Atoll in WWII on 22 August 1945

Following Japan's acceptance of Allied terms, the first overseas Japanese post to surrender was that at Mili Atoll, in the southeastern Marshall Islands. One of several "bypassed" island garrisons in the central Pacific, Mili's Japanese forces had endured over eighteen months of regular bombardment and deprivation. Its surrender took place on 22 August on board the escort ship USS Levy (DE-162), which later hosted such ceremonies at Jaluit and Wake. The U.S. flag was formally raised over Mili on 28 August, and most of the Japanese there began the trip home to Japan on the following day.

This page features photographs of Mili's surrender and of conditions there at that time.

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: 80-G-490368

Surrender of Japan, 1945

Japanese Navy Captain Masanori Shiga salutes as he boards USS Levy (DE-162), off Mili Atoll in the southeastern Marshalls Group, to surrender the Japanese base there, 22 August 1945.
Facing the camera, at right, is Captain H. B. Grow, USNR, senior U.S. officer at the ceremonies.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Photo #: 80-G-490369

Surrender of Japan, 1945

Japanese Navy Captain Masanori Shiga signs the surrender document for Mili Atoll, Marshalls, on board USS Levy (DE-162), 22 August 1945.
To the right of Capt. Shiga are (left to right):
Lieutenant E.R. Harris, USNR;
Lieutenant Colonel G.V. Burnett, USMCR, and
Captain H. B. Grow, USNR, senior U.S. officer present.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Photo #: 80-G-490370

Surrender of Japan, 1945

Japanese and U.S. officers negotiate the surrender of Mili Atoll, Marshalls, on board USS Levy (DE-162), 22 August 1945.
Identified U.S. officers present include (from left to right):
Commander H.E. Cross;
Captain H. B. Grow, USNR, senior U.S. officer present;
Commander W.C. Burkhard;
Lieutenant P.S. Breck, Jr.;
Commander C.G. Olson;
Japanese officers in center include an unidentified junior officer, at left, and Japanese Navy Captain Masanori Shiga.
Note pistol shoulder holster worn by U.S. officer in right foreground, fancy rope decoration on stanchions, metal wardroom chairs and steward in right background.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Photo #: 80-G-490371

Surrender of Japan, 1945

Japanese and U.S. officers negotiate the surrender of Mili Atoll, Marshalls, on board USS Levy (DE-162), 22 August 1945.
At left is the senior U.S. officer present, Captain H. B. Grow, USNR.
Japanese officer at right is Navy Captain Masanori Shiga.
Note packs of cigarettes on the table.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Photo #: USMC 134057

Mili Island, Mili Atoll, Marshalls Group

Damaged Japanese Navy Type 89 5"/40 twin dual-purpose gun mount on Mili, at the time of the island's surrender in late August 1945.
Mili, target of eighteen months of ceaseless bombing by U.S. Marine Corps aircraft, was the first Japanese Pacific island to surrender at the end of World War II.
Photographed by R.O. Kepler, USMC.

U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

Bibliographic citation for this document

Surrender of Japanese Garrison of Mili Atoll in WWII on 22 August 1945
URL: http://marshall.csu.edu.au/Marshalls/html/WWII_Pix/Mili_Surrender.html

CONTACT:
Dirk H.R. Spennemann, Institute of Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, P.O.Box 789, Albury NSW 2640, Australia.
e-mail: dspennemann@csu.edu.au

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Digital Micronesia-An Electronic Library & Archive is provided free of charge as an advertising-free information service for the world community. It is being maintained by Dirk HR Spennemann, Associate Professor in Cultural Heritage Management,Institute of Land, Water and Society and School of Environmental & Information Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia. The server space and technical support are provided by Charles Sturt University as part of its commitment to regional engagement. Environmental Sciences Information Sciences © Dirk Spennemann 1999– 2005

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Photo #: 80-G-490368 Surrender of Japan, 1945 Japanese Navy Captain Masanori Shiga salutes as he boards USS Levy (DE-162), off Mili Atoll in the southeastern Marshalls Group, to surrender the Japanese base there, 22 August 1945. Facing the camera, at right, is Captain H. B. Grow, USNR, senior U.S. officer at the ceremonies. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Photo #: 80-G-490369 Surrender of Japan, 1945 Japanese Navy Captain Masanori Shiga signs the surrender document for Mili Atoll, Marshalls, on board USS Levy (DE-162), 22 August 1945. To the right of Capt. Shiga are (left to right): Lieutenant E.R. Harris, USNR; Lieutenant Colonel G.V. Burnett, USMCR, and Captain H. B. Grow, USNR, senior U.S. officer present. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Photo #: 80-G-490370 Surrender of Japan, 1945 Japanese and U.S. officers negotiate the surrender of Mili Atoll, Marshalls, on board USS Levy (DE-162), 22 August 1945. Identified U.S. officers present include (from left to right): Commander H.E. Cross; Captain H. B. Grow, USNR, senior U.S. officer present; Commander W.C. Burkhard; Lieutenant P.S. Breck, Jr.; Commander C.G. Olson; Japanese officers in center include an unidentified junior officer, at left, and Japanese Navy Captain Masanori Shiga. Note pistol shoulder holster worn by U.S. officer in right foreground, fancy rope decoration on stanchions, metal wardroom chairs and steward in right background. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Photo #: 80-G-490371 Surrender of Japan, 1945 Japanese and U.S. officers negotiate the surrender of Mili Atoll, Marshalls, on board USS Levy (DE-162), 22 August 1945. At left is the senior U.S. officer present, Captain H. B. Grow, USNR. Japanese officer at right is Navy Captain Masanori Shiga. Note packs of cigarettes on the table. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.
Photo #: USMC 134057 Mili Island, Mili Atoll, Marshalls Group Damaged Japanese Navy Type 89 5"/40 twin dual-purpose gun mount on Mili, at the time of the island's surrender in late August 1945. Mili, target of eighteen months of ceaseless bombing by U.S. Marine Corps aircraft, was the first Japanese Pacific island to surrender at the end of World War II. Photographed by R.O. Kepler, USMC. U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.