WWII Navy Veteran Recounts USS Missouri Kamikaze Attack and Surrender Ceremony

Enlisting in the Navy

• ⚓ John DeLeo enlisted in the Navy at 17 to avoid the army draft and chose the Navy because he "loved the water."
• 🚢 He first boarded the USS Missouri in May 1944, shortly after basic training, and was impressed by the ship's accommodations.
• 🎯 DeLeo was assigned to the fire control division, responsible for managing the ship's guns, a role he held for two years.

The Kamikaze Attack

• 💥 DeLeo vividly recalls a kamikaze plane hitting the USS Missouri at eye level, with part of the plane and pilot embedding in the ship while the rest, along with a bomb, fell into the water.
• 🩹 Despite the severity of the attack, miraculously, no one was killed, and the pilot's remains were respectfully handled.
• 🏅 The captain awarded a medal to a sailor who helped recover the pilot's remains, an event DeLeo described as the "happiest funeral" he ever attended.

Witnessing the Surrender

• 📜 DeLeo was present on deck during the formal surrender ceremony on September 2, 1945, where Japanese officials signed the papers with General MacArthur.
• ⏳ He noted the delay between Japan's surrender announcement and the signing of the official documents, which took two weeks for the Japanese Empire to arrange.
• 🏠 The end of the war brought relief, with DeLeo looking forward to returning home to Italian food and his girlfriend.

Reflections on Service and History

• 🧠 DeLeo reflects that while he was young and focused on impressing women, he now understands the historical significance of his experiences.
• 🗺️ He emphasizes the importance of understanding geography and the island-hopping strategy used in the Pacific theater during WWII.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 After the war, DeLeo married his girlfriend, and they raised five children together.
• 🎖️ He believes young people today are capable of similar service and dedication if called upon.