My job was to maintain the diesel engines in the landing craft assigned to the USS APL11.
Looking seaward from where the APL was anchored, I could see hundreds of ships, ships of all types. This vast array of ships was the culmination of the buildup of the Pacific Fleet plus ships that came to the Pacific from the Atlantic operations after the surrender of Germany.
During the day of Aug. 15, 1945, we aboard the APL noticed the increased communication activity between the ships by signal lights blinking messages from the command ships to the various other ships. The signalman aboard the APL received the messages, then relayed them to the commanding officer. He passed the word that surrender discussions were taking place. Scuttlebutt aboard ship stated that the Japanese would surrender at any minute.
After evening chow, all hands, except the generator room watch and the security watch, went on the weather decks to see what was happening.
Then the word came.
Signal lights, some with colored green and red lenses, flashed the word to all ships — the Japanese had agreed to the surrender terms of the Allies! All hell broke loose on all the ships. Red and green flares went skyward, shouts and screams of joy came from the thousands of soldiers, sailors and Marines and occasionally gunfire was heard. Throughout the night, the celebration continued throughout the fleet of ships. All hands on board the APL were ecstatic that the war was over.
For me, it was the most monumental event of my life, being a part of the greatest military might that was ever formed since the world began. It was us, who had come from peaceful democracies, who had beaten the totalitarian, fascist and militaristic regimes that had set out to dominate the world.
Submitted by Petty Officer 1st Class John L. Blair, 83, of Lawton
