General Sturgis (AP 137) - Naval Cruise Book

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Front row — left to right: Maj. General Ch ' Eng, China; General Courtney B. Hodges, USA; Brig. General Denit, USA; Lt. General Chu Shih Ming, China. Second row : Air Vice Marshall Jones, Australia; Colonel Cosgrave, Canada; Lt. General Berryman, Australia; Maj. General Stivers, USA; Maj. General Kean, USA; Maj. General Frinlc, USA; General Hau Yung Chang, China; Maj. General Valdez, Philippines; Maj. General Wang Chit, China. Third row: Brig. Gen. Holman, USA; Vice Admiral Yang Hsun Ch ' Eng, China; Lt. General Styer, USA; Lt. General Van Oyen, Netherlands; Brig. General Barnwell, USA; Brig. General Besson, USA; Brig. General Wanamaker, USA; Rear Admiral Moore, Australia. Still alert against any dying treachery we went to Japan as to War — prepared. All hands were topside to get a first glimpse of Tokyo. No chances were taken, for there was the Missouri, the New Jersey, the South Dakota and dozens of other warships, all flying colors fore and aft signifying that they were in enemy waters and prepared. Under the silent protection of these mighty guns which had sounded the death knell of aggression we took our place and anchored. The day before the signing of the treaty we made fast to a dock at Yokohama the fourth ship to tie up. Admiral of the Fleet Nimitz, Admiral Halsey stood on the deck of the U.S.S. Buchanan and watched as we passed alongside to tie up at the berth ahead. The morning of the signing we, in our turn, watched General MacArthur, General Wainwright of Battaan, General Stillwell of Burma and China pass by on their way to board this same ship. These were the men who had marked so well the road to Japan. Following the signing of the Surrender we could stand on the deck of our ship and watch the first raising of Old Glory on Japan ' s home soil and the landing of the occupation troops as the First Cavalry swarmed ashore. We were to see the Japs and talk with them. We saw what two hours of bombing had done to Yokohama. These first days were HISTORY and we were there. 76

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General Hodges welcomed aboard by Captain Baker The S+urgis was not in at the beginning of the war but it was destined to be on the scene for the end of it. We had finished our mission in Manila and everyone waited anxiously for the word to go back to the States. Orders came, but they were not for San Francisco. Our new orders were Destination Tokyo . The passenger list was to carry many names which were to appear on the document ac- cepting the surrender of Japan. Most of the twenty Generals came on board a few hours before sailing. As they came up the gangway amid the flashing of cameras we could follow in the uniforms and faces the course of the Pacific War. General Courtney Hodges whose First Army had fought so brilliantly in Europe was a symbol of the full force of America ' s power which Japan had begun to feel after the defeat of Ger- many. China ' s heroic struggle against a merciless foe was made more real in the persons of Gen- eral Hsu Yung Chang. Lt. General Van Oyen recalled to us the days when we watched the crimson blot of Japan ' s bloody conquest spread over the maps of the East Indies. Australia ' s magnificent stand against almost impossible odds flashed before us as we watched Rear Admiral Moore and Air Vice Marshall Jones come aboard. In all their faces we could see the signs of the past lighted now with joy of Victory and diffused with the tranquility of peace. It was a turning point in history they were to witness but for many the greater happiness lay in the knowledge that their people were at last free. We watched as Major General Valdez, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, said goodby to his family. Our two visits to Manila had shown us what they and their people had suffered during the war. This farewell had no sorrow in it. He was coming back. Those who watted these men who had played such important roles in the war found a deeper understanding of whit it meant and thought of the millions who had suffered so much. These men were the people of China and Australia and the East Indies. 7.»

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Admirals Nimitz and Halsey view the Sturgis at Yokohama Moored — Berth C, Customs House Pier