ST. CLAIRSVILLE — When St. Clairsville resident John S. Marshall was a youngster, his father John F. Marshall rarely spoke of his tour of duty during World War II in the U.S. Navy. But later, it became clear that the elder Marshall was witness to more than that of most troops serving in the armed forces during that war.

It became clear when Marshall wrote a book titled “Civilian in Uniform.” In this self-published book, Marshall describes the historic day on Sept. 2, 1945, when the Japanese surrendered via a formal ceremony aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.

But first, a little background. John and his young wife Nancy were living in San Francisco in December 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Marshall was a graduate of Ohio State University and received a masters degree from the Harvard Business School. He was working as an investment counselor with Loomis Sayles at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack.

While he and his wife stepped up and helped man an air raid lookout in the Russ Building in San Francisco, Marshall felt the need to do more. He applied to the Army Air Force and Marines, seeking a post as an Aviation Volunteer Specialist. It took some time, but he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Navy in May 1942 and was sent to Officer Candidate School. Training came next and then, from 1942 through 1945, Marshall served as a Naval Air Combat Intelligence Officer on Admiral WIlliam Halsey’s staff. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Marshall wrote a letter to his best friend. Floyd McElroy, detailing the day of the Japanese surrender. The letter appears in his book. Marshall was situated in the admiral’s stateroom directly above the signing desk on the ship when the ceremony took place.

Marshall recalled the subdued excitement that permeated the ship when he and other Navy personnel witnessed the signing of the articles of surrender by the Japanese Marshall could see all of the happenings from his ship’s perch about 50 feet above the ceremonial signing table. He noted there were tears in the eyes of the Japanese officials.

First to sign was Mamoru Shigemitsu, Japanese Minister of Affairs, followed by U.S. General Douglas MacArthur who signed for all the Allied powers together. This was followed by representatives from China, Russia, Britain and other countries stepping up to be part of this historic moment.

Marshall described the event: “The whole ceremony was simple and businesslike. We were prepared for a more elaborate affair and for a while, I thought that at last, I might get the chance to use my white uniform. But it was decided not to dress up and the only color and the only ribbons in sight were those on the foreigners.”

The day after the surrender, Marshall’s crew was transferred to the USS South Dakota because President Truman wanted the Missouri in New York for celebration of Navy Day on Oct. 15. The South Dakota remained in port at Yokosuka, Japan for three weeks before sailing for home. Marshall saw firsthand the war’s destruction on Japan’s landscape.

Upon his return home, Marshall resumed life in the working world while he and his wife raised a family. The memories of his wartime experiences are captured in the book, something his son cherishes.

Marshall’s son John S. Marshall is a retired insurance business owner in St. Clairsville. Marshall said his father’s best friend eventually served as his godfather.