Victory in Europe & Japan
Children celebrating VE Day on Broad St in downtown Story City.
The long awaited victory in Europe finally occurred on Tuesday, May 8, 1945 with the formal acceptance by the Allies of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces. For over five years and eight months the war had been raging in Europe. President Harry Truman gave a radio broadcast at 8 am central time that Tuesday stating "this is a solemn but glorious hour." He cautioned "our victory is but half won...when the last Japanese division has surrendered, unconditionally, then only will our fighting job be done."
While large crowds gathered in London and New York City to celebrate, the festivities in Story City were more subdued. A joint church service was held at Immanuel Church with Reverends Heimark, Nelson, and Ulrich officiating. The church was packed with Story Citians taking part in the service. Rev. Bringle also had a service at Elim Church in Randall.
While large crowds gathered in London and New York City to celebrate, the festivities in Story City were more subdued. A joint church service was held at Immanuel Church with Reverends Heimark, Nelson, and Ulrich officiating. The church was packed with Story Citians taking part in the service. Rev. Bringle also had a service at Elim Church in Randall.
Celebrating VJ Day
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On August 14, 1945 the news flashed through the nation that Japan had surrendered. It was 6:15 in the evening in Story City, the light plant whistle sounded and the church bells all rang to the delight of the people. There wasn't much organized celebrating on that Tuesday night, but on the following day, businesses were closed and a thousand people thronged to Immanuel Church to take part in a solemn victory program. According to the Story City Herald, hundreds more people listened to the program while seated in their cars, as it was broadcast over the loud speakers.
Reverend Carlson led the program that evening. He was the only local pastor in town, the other 3 having gone on vacations or were engaged elsewhere. Rev. Carlson was assisted by Rev. Wendel and all those in attendance took part in the readings and the singing from mimeographed sheets prepared for the occasion. |
Story City Herald August 16, 1945
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Story City Herald August 16, 1945
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The formal surrender by the Japanese occurred on September 2, 1945 aboard the USS Missouri. Following the signing of the instrument of surrender, many further surrender ceremonies took place across Japan's remaining holdings in the Pacific. The surrender of the Bonin Islands, which included Iwo Jima, happened aboard the USS Dunlap on September 3, 1945. The ceremony took place off Chichi Jima, an extremely heavily-fortified island located some 1000 kilometers southeast of Honshu. Lieutenant General Yoshio Tachibana, the local commander who signed the surrender documents, was later convicted and executed for a particularly gruesome series of war crimes perpetuated against U.S. aviators who had been captured in the area during 1944-45.
Leslie Mathre, local Story City man who served with the U.S. Army Air Corps, was on board the USS Dunlap during the surrender ceremony and took the photos shown below. |
August 23, 1945 edition of the Story City Herald.
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Full page in the December 27, 1945 edition of the Story City Herald.
