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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Missouri (BB-63), World War II Actions and Activities

This page features views of USS Missouri's World War II actions and activities, specifically including the 11 April 1945 Kamikaze suicide plane attack that hit her side and her presence in Japanese waters during late August 1945, just prior to the 2 September surrender ceremonies.

For pictorial coverage of the Japanese Surrender ceremonies held on board Missouri on 2 September 1945 see:
Formal Surrender of Japan, 2 September 1945.

For links to further picture coverage on USS Missouri, see the ship's cover page: USS Missouri, Selected Views.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

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

Photo #: NH 62696

USS Missouri (BB-63)


About to be hit by a Japanese A6M "Zero" Kamikaze, while operating off Okinawa on 11 April 1945. The plane hit the ship's side below the main deck, causing minor damage and no casualties on board the battleship.
A 40mm quad gun mount's crew is in action in the lower foreground.
The photographer has been identified as Seaman Len Schmidt.

Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 120KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 96781

USS Missouri (BB-63)
(at left)

Transferring personnel to USS Iowa (BB-61), while operating off Japan on 20 August 1945.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 

Photo #: 80-G-455703

HMS King George V)

(British Battleship, 1939-1958)

At sea off Japan in company with U.S. Third Fleet ships on 16 August 1945, the day after the Japanese Government agreed to surrender.
Photographed from USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31).
Just beyond King George V is USS Missouri (BB-63), with a British destroyer alongside. An Essex class aircraft carrier is in the distance.

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

Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-490393

USS Missouri (BB-63)


A Japanese naval officer boards Missouri with charts of Sagami and Tokyo Bays, for a piloting conference with Admiral William F. Halsey's staff, 27 August 1945. This conference was held to prepare for the entrance of U.S. Third Fleet and British Pacific Fleet ships into the bays for the Japanese surrender ceremonies.

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

Online Image: 71KB; 620 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-490401

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Japanese naval officers go over charts of Sagami and Tokyo Bays during a piloting conference with Admiral William F. Halsey's Third Fleet staff, 27 August 1945, as preparations were being made for the entrance of U.S. Third Fleet and British Pacific Fleet ships into Japanese waters.
At left, in baseball cap, is Rear Admiral Robert B. Carney, Third Fleet Chief of Staff.
At right is Japanese language officer Commander Gilven M. Slonim.
The State of Missouri Seal is on the bulkhead in the upper left corner.

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

Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-490414

Sagami Wan, Japan


The sun sets behind Mount Fujiyama on 27 August 1945, as seen from USS Missouri anchored in Sagami Wan, outside of Tokyo Bay. Ships of the U.S. Third Fleet and the British Pacific Fleet are in the distance. Closest to the camera, in center, is HMS Duke of York, with HMS King George V next beyond her.

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

Online Image: 72KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-339360

Sagami Wan, Japan


Warships of the U.S. Third Fleet and the British Pacific Fleet in Sagami Wan, 28 August 1945, preparing for the the formal Japanese surrender a few days later. Mount Fujiyama is in the background.
Nearest ship is USS Missouri (BB-63), flying Admiral William F. Halsey's four-star flag.
British battleship Duke of York is just beyond her, with HMS King George V further in.
USS Colorado (BB-45) is in the far center distance.
Also present are U.S. and British cruisers and U.S. destroyers.

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

Online Image: 64KB; 640 x 715 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-490436

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Anchored in Sagami Wan or Tokyo Bay, Japan, with other units of the U.S. Third Fleet, 30 August 1945. Mount Fujiyama is faintly visible in the distance.
Missouri is flying Admiral William F. Halsey's four-star flag.

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

Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 615 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-700862

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Close up view of her bow, with Mount Fujiyama framed by her stem and anchor chain, in Sagami Wan or Tokyo Bay, Japan, circa 30 August 1945.
This photograph was released for publication on 5 September 1945.
Note Missouri's port anchor, paravane and anchor chains, and jack flying above her bow. British and U.S. battleships and cruisers are in the background.

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

Online Image: 62KB; 570 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: NH 96780

USS Missouri (BB-63)


Steaming to her anchorage in Tokyo Bay for the formal signing of the Japanese surrender, 29 August 1945.
A destroyer is alongside Missouri, and USS Iowa is beyond.
This photograph was flown to Washington, DC, directly from Japan, arriving on 2 September 1945, the day the Japanese surrender was signed.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 158KB; 610 x 765 pixels

 

Photo #: NH 96809

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN,

Commander in Chief, Pacific, and Pacific Ocean Areas

Arrives at Tokyo Bay in a PB2Y "Coronado" seaplane, 29 August 1945.
USS Missouri (BB-63), Third Fleet Flagship, is in the center background.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 

For pictorial coverage of the Japanese Surrender ceremonies held on board Missouri on 2 September 1945 see:
Formal Surrender of Japan, 2 September 1945.

For links to further picture coverage on USS Missouri, see the ship's cover page: USS Missouri, Selected Views.

Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

New picture added 23 February 1999