Marines go ashore for initial occupation of Japanese facilities, probably near Yokosuka, circa 30 August 1945. Taken by a USS Iowa (BB-61) photographer. Credit: Naval Historical Center.
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army (second from right) with other senior Army officers, upon his arrival at Atsugi airdrome, near Tokyo, Japan, 30 August 1945. Among those present are: Major General Joseph M. Swing, Commanding General, 11th Airborne Division, (left); Lieutenant General Richard K. Sutherland (3rd from right); General Robert L. Eichelberger (right). Aircraft in the background is a Douglas C-54. Credit: Naval Historical Center.
Brigadier General William T. Clement, USMC (left), Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN (center) and Admiral William F. Halsey, USN (right) Go over plans at the Yokosuka Naval Hospital, which had been taken over for treatment of released Allied prisoners of war, 30 August 1945. Credit: Naval Historical Center.
U.S. Marines destroying rifles, light field guns and other weapons at Futtsu-misaki, on Tokyo Bay across from Yokosuka Navy Base, in a first step toward disarming Japan, 30 August 1945. Initial landings had taken place on that day. Credit: Naval Historical Center.
http://www.thehistoryreader.com/modern-history/august-1945macarthur-occupation-pending-official-surrender/
Although the photo depicts Marines destroying
weapons there is no doubt those Marines got
some great souvenirs. My dad who died this
past May was a paratrooper with the 511th PIR/
11th AB. The 11th AB was the first occupation
force in Japan. The paratroopers opened warehouses
to find stored weapons. At one point they located
ceremonial swords and daggers. Some of the swords
were mailed to 11th AB troopers who had been
wounded and sent home. My dad was among those
WIA during the liberation of Manila. I’ve got
the sword here in my house.
The photo of MacArthur and the other generals
reminded me that when I was 16 yrs old I met
General Joe Swing CO 11th AB in the small
farming community of Colusa, Ca. My dad,
brother, and I had been out goose hunting
early AM and we decided to go to town for
breakfast. I saw this older gent sitting
at a table. He was wearing an 11th AB
shoulder patch. I told my dad. When we were
leaving my dad walked up behind the older
man and asked him which regiment he was in.
The man replied “I’m the son of a bitch who
used to kick your asses around!” This was in 1967.
General Swing was among the class of West Point
grads that the “stars fell on”. Years later my
dad chatted with General Swing at a reunion and
they shared a laugh about their previous encounter.