Fireman First Class Art Fishman, a WWII veteran of both the US Army Air Corps Cadet program and the US Navy, is a loyal friend of The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial. In fact, for his dedication to our cause, Art was one of the first two recipients of the Victory Award at the first annual Victory Gala of The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial this October 13.

Art served on the USS Robinson in the Pacific as part of the 5th Fleet. At the end of war, on September 2, 1945, Art was at his station on the USS Robinson in Subic Bay, part of a contingent protecting against revenge attacks while the USS Missouri was anchored in Tokyo Bay hosting the formal surrender ceremony. Art and his fellow sailors stood guard while General Douglas MacArthur officiated the signing of the surrender documents by the Allies and Empire of Japan, formally ending the war.