| Original caption: “Ships of Third Fleet steam into Tokyo Bay, Japan, for the occupation.” United States Navy 3rd Fleet ships steaming off Tokyo Bay, before entering for the occupation of Japan. In this view, there are 3 Essex-class fleet carriers, 1 Independence-class light carrier, 2 heavy cruisers, and 2 destroyers, just part of 1 of 4 carrier groups in Task Force 38. Though “cease fire” orders were issued on August 15-16, the fighting forces were uncertain that the Japanese would stop fighting so abruptly after nearly 4 years of brutal combat. 2 Consolidated B-32 Dominators of the 386th Bombardment Squadron – heavy bombers designed as a backup to the Boeing B-29 Superfortress – Hobo Queen II and Squadron Number 578, on a photographic reconnaissance mission instead of dropping bombs, were attacked by the 302nd Kokutai (“Air Group”) out of Atsugi Naval Air Station. United States Army Air Force Sergeant Anthony J. Marchione was killed in action, the last American to die in World War II. Therefore, the combined United States Navy (Task Force 38) and Royal Navy (Task Force 57) fleet remained at a high degree of alertness. But the next day, August 20, the Japanese agreed to remove the propellers from their remaining aircraft. After that, the days passed without serious incident as carrier planes actively patrolled over Japan to monitor the situation and to seek out prisoner of war facilities. On August 27, units of the fleet entered Japanese waters for the 1st time. Guided by local pilots, the ships anchored in Sagami Wan, just outside of Tokyo Bay and within view of Mount Fuji. A day later, some of the fleet went into Tokyo Bay itself, though almost all of the aircraft carriers remained at sea, ready to provide air cover “just in case.” Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (February 24, 1885 – February 20, 1966), Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet, had directed much of the Pacific War. He arrived on August in a Consolidated PB2Y Coronado seaplane and made USS South Dakota (BB-57) his flagship. Aboard USS Missouri (BB-63), which flew United States Navy Fleet Admiral William F. “Bull” Halsey’s flag as Commander-in-Chief, 3rd Fleet, preparations were underway to host the formal surrender ceremonies on September 2. | |
| Image Filename | wwii1571.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.24 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 5802 x 4586 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | United States Navy |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | August 27, 1945 |
| Location | |
| City | Tokyo Bay |
| State or Province | Tokyo |
| Country | Japan |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-80-G-472620 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
Author of the World War II Multimedia Database