PEARL HARBOR — Tears, pride, nostalgia and laughter marked an emotion-packed ceremony aboard the battleship Missouri yesterday morning commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Hundreds of honored World War II veterans braved the bright sun on the decks of the "Mighty Mo," while a crowd of some 2,000 other visitors watched from chairs that lined Pier F-5.

The occasion featured everything from a rifle-volley salute atop gun Turret No. 2, to a missing-man formation flyover, to the Jefferson Elementary School Choir accompanied by the Joint Military Ceremonial Band and the Sounds of Aloha Chorus.

But the highlight of the day was a trio of guest speakers who provided what, after so many decades, has become an increasingly limited commodity: Actual eyewitness accounts.

"Sixty years ago, on Sept. 2, 1945, I stood here on the deck of this ship, as officer of the deck, and participated in and witnessed the formal surrender of the Japanese Empire to the Allied forces of the world," began retired Lt. Cmdr. James Starnes, 84.

Starnes, who can be seen in those vintage black-and-white surrender photos, went on to explain how he helped to arrange one of the most significant events in history — the official conclusion of the deadliest conflict ever fought.

Also there that day was Murray Yudelowitz, a 26-year-old gunner's mate from New York who had a fabulous vantage point atop Turret No. 2.

Yudelowitz, who spoke yesterday with a thick Bronx accent, recalled the moment from the viewpoint of an enlisted sailor and former Manhattan cab driver.

Yudelowitz told the gathering that on Sept. 2, 1945, "I was given the duty of press escort. And when members of the media came aboard, I told them where to go — a job lots of folks enjoy today."

The line garnered one of the biggest laughs of the day. But Yudelowitz ended his talk with a comment that resonated with the gathering and received a round of extended applause.

Turning to face the memorial a thousand yards away that honors the sunken battleship USS Arizona and represents America's entry into the war on Dec. 7, 1941, Yudelowitz raised his hand and saluted.

"I just want to say to the officers, sailors and Marines still on duty on the USS Arizona, and to every man and woman who before and after has served this country — God be with you all. May God bless the United States of America.

"And I leave you with two words: We remember!"

Army Col. Ben Skardon, 88, was not on the Mighty Mo on that September morning 60 years ago. He was in the Philippines, barely alive, having only recently been rescued from Japanese imprisonment by Allied forces.

Skardon spoke of first surviving the infamous Bataan Death March only to endure a torturous 47-day sea voyage to Manchuria, in which three-quarters of the 1,600 men who began the trip either succumbed to the elements, died of disease or starvation, or were shot.

Even after making it through all that, Skardon endured bouts of malaria and beriberi, in addition to numerous other ailments. When he was finally rescued, after 40 months in enemy hands, Skardon weighed 90 pounds and was nearly dead.

Skardon's account of survival, loyalty and faith was so moving that he was given a standing ovation as he left the podium.

Keynote speaker Adm. Gary Roughead, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, reflected on the magnitude of the event.

"As I stand here on Adm. 'Bull' Halsey's flagship, in command of Adm. Chester Nimitz's fleet, speaking on the deck where Gen. Douglas MacArthur participated in the World War II surrender ceremony 60 years ago, I'm humbled and overcome with the significance of this day," he said.

"It is a great honor, perhaps the greatest of my career."

Roughead said it was a special pleasure to be there with so many veterans of the Second World War, and he specifically recognized the delegation from America's "close friend and longtime ally Australia."

The ceremony concluded with the voice of MacArthur played over the loudspeaker system.

Capt. Don Hess, master of ceremonies and president of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, said MacArthur's words are as meaningful today as they were six decades ago:

"It is my earnest hope ... that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge ... a world dedicated to the dignity of man. The terms and conditions upon which surrender of the Japanese Imperial forces is here to be given and accepted are contained in the instrument of surrender before you.

"Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world and that God will preserve it always. These proceedings are now closed."

Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.