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May 10, 2008

My grandfather, Stuart S. Murray, was the captain of the USS Missouri at the time of the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on September 2nd, 1945. He had some great photographs of the event and some great shots of the Missouri at Navy Day in NYC in October 1945. Sadly, in 1980, in my grandfather's final days, someone stole his photo albums from his assisted living home in Washington D.C., and the treasures were gone forever.

I have been using the internet to try and rebuild a photo album for my father, Stuart G. Murray, and have found your terrific site. As the captain of the Missouri, my grandfather was the official host of the surrender ceremony, but was outranked by about 100 or more officers onboard for the surrender. He played no part in the actual signing ceremony, but met every dignitary as they came aboard the Missouri.

In the photo I am attaching, which is from your website, he is the tall officer between the two guys with binoculars hanging from their necks. (see Japanese Surrender Page 1)My grandfather was six foot six and is identifiable by his height and his proximity to the gangway where Nimitz, MacArthur, the Japanese delegation, and all other officials came on deck. I am convinced there are 100s of photographs of him that day that were taken when the dignitaries came and left the Missouri.

Do you have any idea how to go about locating some of the images shot that day that might zero in on my grandfather. Whoever shot this photo would have taken several rolls from the same spot. Do you know the photographer? And how can we get a fine print of this image from you? Thanks for any help. If we can find a few shots it would mean so much to my father, who was the only son of Captain Murray. His father was his hero.

Thanks again,
John Murray
Morris, Connecticut