American Legion commemorates 75th anniversary of VJ Day

American Legion Past National Commander Daniel Dellinger and National Security Commission Chairman Steven Brennan presented a wreath commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Allied Forces Victory in the Pacific at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 2.

On Sept. 2, 1945, Japan surrendered to the United States, when documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, officially ending the deadliest military conflict in human history. An estimated 30 to 35 million people died during the war, including 400,000 Americans.

“When America entered the war, they were ill-prepared for what was to come,” Dellinger said. “Only through the leadership exhibited by civilian and military leaders were we able to work together as a nation for the common goal of preserving our democracy.

“The Greatest Generation … through their shared grit and determination, were able to defeat two of the most powerful militaries in the world and preserve the freedoms that we enjoy today.”

Military leaders lauded World War II veterans during the day’s events hosted by Friends of the National World War II Memorial.

“The Greatest Generation took up arms against tyranny,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley said. “From the ashes of destruction, death and bloodshed of that war, you established a rules-based global order rooted in political and economic liberty that has maintained Great Power peace for over seven decades."

Milley was joined by representatives from the Embassies of Pacific Theater Allied Nations marking the occasion at the “Freedom Wall,” which is adorned by 4,048 sculpted gold stars, each representing 100 American military deaths during World War II.