"We can't have a formal surrender on a general mess table." (Interview, Part 2, 7:13)

Robert G. Mackey

Robert Mackey , Fall 1945. War: World War II, 1939-1946 Branch: Navy Unit: USS Missouri (BB 63) Service Location: Pacific Theater Rank: Lieutenant Place of Birth: Chicago, IL

Serving as a Disbursing Officer aboard the USS Missouri, Robert Mackey was present for the signing of the peace treaty with Japan on the deck of his ship. He also came up with the right furniture for the ceremony, deftly camouflaging a general mess table big enough to accommodate all the dignitaries and various papers. Mackey's talent for business affairs helped put him in a position to choose among a battleship, destroyer, or carrier for his duty assignment. When he chose the first, the Missouri gave him a front-row seat for many other important events in the Pacific Theater.