Each of the other destroyers pulled up next to the Missouri for its special passengers to go aboard, but not the Lansdowne. We were ordered to stop a nice distance away, and the Japanese delegation was forced to take a small launch to the Missouri. The brass wanted to rub their faces in it. |
He had to negotiate the rope ladder down to the launch. It was not an easy task, but no one offered to help him. Eventually, he managed. |
The Lansdowne was selected to ferry the Japanese ministers and generals from the Customs House Dock in Yokohama to the Missouri. |
They were a grim bunch, all deadpan. They had nothing to smile about. |
We all knew something was up, but we weren't sure exactly what. |