WWII veterans and supporters salute during the playing of taps on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — Veterans, families and the public gathered Tuesday at the National World War II Memorial to mark the 80th anniversary of V-J Day, the formal surrender of Japan to the allies aboard the USS Missouri and the official end of World War II.
The Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service cohosted the observance, which included remarks from park leaders, wreath-laying and a performance by the Marine Band performance.
Surviving veterans, some more than 100 years old, were honored for their service, sacrifice and enduring legacy.
A Navy sailor salutes during the national anthem on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
The Armed Forces Color Guard presents the colors on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
WWII veteran Dominick Critelli acknowledges the cheers on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. Critelli served with the 95th Infantry Division in the Headquarters Battalion Artillery Aviation Unit and maintained aircraft that flew surveillance missions and volunteered to drop supplies behind enemy lines during the Battle of the Bulge. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Harry Miller salutes the crowd on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. Miller joined the Army at 16 and fought in the Battle of the Bulge with the 740th tank Battalion attached to the 82nd Airborne Division. He later served at General MacArthur’s headquarters during the Korean War and in Vietnam with the Air Force retiring as a senior master sergeant. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
WWII veteran Dave Yoho engages the crowd on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. Yoho joined the United States Merchant Marine and served aboard a tanker supplying combat ships in the South Pacific. The war ended days before his 17th birthday. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band performs on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band performs on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Dr. Kevin Griess, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, gives remarks on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
WWII veterans are escorted on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
Taps is played at the conclusion of a wreath-laying ceremony for WWII veterans and supporters on the 80th anniversary of V-J Day on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at the National World War II Memorial in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)
