Name: WWII vet may be final man alive who witnessed Japans surrender
Uploaded: 2025-12-08T02:14:52.063Z
Duration: 2 min 19 s
Description: John Lauritsen reports on Del Thielke, thought to be the last person alive who was present on the USS Missouri when Japan signed its Instrument of Surrender, ending World War II.

John Lauritsen reports on Del Thielke, thought to be the last person alive who was present on the USS Missouri when Japan signed its Instrument of Surrender, ending World War II.

Honolulu

Eighty-four years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, only 12 survivors remain, all over 100 years old, and none attended the recent remembrance ceremony in Honolulu. Del Tilke, a World War II veteran, was the only member of his ship's crew selected to witness Japan's surrender aboard the USS Missouri, making him possibly the last living person from that historic event.

Tilke, who served as an aviation ordnance specialist in the South Pacific, recently learned he may be the only person still alive from a famous photograph taken during the treaty signing. He credits his faith for his survival and ability to recall the momentous day, as commemorations continue to honor those who served.

WWII vet may be final man alive who witnessed Japan's surrender

Finally, it has been 84 years since Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, killing more than 2,400 troops. In Honolulu, no survivors attended today's remembrance ceremony. There are only 12 still alive, all of them over 100 years old. The attack launched the United States into World War II. In tonight's Weekend Journal, CBS' John Lawrenson met a veteran who was present at the Allied victory four years later. I tell you, I joined the Navy when I was a senior in high school. And as soon as he graduated in 1942, Del Tilke began a journey that put him in the middle of World War II. He was trained in aviation ordnance and found himself on an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. Loading airplanes with bombs, rockets, and machine gun bullets. For more than four years, he was at war and at sea, rarely leaving the ship. We took back 16 islands, all the way to Tokyo, that's the whole South Pacific. When Japan was ready to surrender, Del received more good news. Out of the 1,500 men on his ship, he was the only one selected to be aboard the USS Missouri when the peace treaty was signed. It was 80 years ago, and here they were, down here, signing the peace treaty with Japan. And here's me right up here on top. Del's white cap can be seen in the upper deck. Recently, he received a letter informing him that a war memorial is being built in New Orleans that recognizes the treaty signing. The letter informed Del that it's possible he's the only person still alive from that picture taken on the USS Missouri. I'm the last one that's living that they could find. Isn't that something? He credits his faith as the reason why he's still able to talk about that historic day eight decades later. I have been a strong Christian all my life, and I believe that God was guiding me for four years on that carrier. The war is over. Peace is here. John Lorgson, CBS News, Dawson, Minnesota. Mr. Del never forgot, and neither should we.

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