His signature appears on his right
leg. Sherman is shown standing behind Fleet Admiral Nimitz and
to the left of Admiral Halsey. The signature was written in black
fluid ink on the signed surrender photograph.
Sherman was born on October 30, 1896 in Merrimack, New Hampshire.
He graduated from the Naval Academy with honors in 1918. After
serving in the Mediterranean during World War I, he reported for
flight training in 1922. Various assignments in Naval Aviation
and staff duty aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS SARATOGA produced
the produced the background for being appointed as an instructor
in the Department and Flight Tactics at the Naval Academy during
the term 1930 to 1931.
At the outbreak of hostilities with Japan, Sherman was on staff
duty at the War Plans Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operation,
Navy Department Washington D. C. During this assignment, he attended
the Atlantic Conference in August of 1941. His next assignment
was the command of the Aircraft Carrier USS WASP in May of 1942.
Under his command she was sunk by enemy action in the Solomon
Islands on September 15, 1942.
The following is from the Naval Historical Center's biography
information on Sherman:
For "extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the USS
WASP and Flag Captain to the Commander of a Task Force during
the occupation of Tulagi-Guadalcanal and subsequent operations..."he
was awarded the Navy Cross. The citation continues: "In addition
to supervising plans for employment of aerial support to cover
the initial landing, Captain Sherman, by his proficient skill
and aggressive courage which enabled his group to destroy hostile
opposition in the air and on the beach. His outstanding performance
of duty was a decisive factor in the success of our forces and
was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States
Naval Service." Sherman also received the Purple Heart Medal
(awarded for wounds received aboard the USS WASP).
After the sinking of the USS WASP, Sherman was appointed Chief
of Staff to Vice-Admiral Towers then Commander Air Force, Pacific
Fleet. On November 10, 1943, he was transferred to duty as Deputy
Chief of Staff to Fleet Admiral Nimitz. He remained in this assignment
until September 2, 1945 receiving a Distinguished Service Medal.
The citation points out: "Rear Admiral Sherman rendered distinguished
service in the preparation of plans and the co-ordination of our
campaigns to bring about the early capitulation of the Gilberts,
Marshalls, Mariana, Western Carolines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, our
final attacks on Japan, and the naval phases of the occupation
of the defeated Empire. As head of the War Plans Division on the
staff, he contributed essentially to the successful prosecution
of the war in the Pacific and his unfailing efforts were of vital
importance in forcing the enemy to surrender..."
Representing the Navy in the initial conferences with the Japanese
at Manila in August 1945, he was present aboard the USS MISSOURI
in Tokyo Bay when the formal surrender of the Japanese was signed
on September 1, 1945 (EST).
In addition to the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal
the Legion of Merit, and the Purple Heart Medal (awarded for wound
received aboard the USS WASP), Admiral Sherman had the Victory
Medal, Patrol Clasp; the American Defense Service Medal, Fleet
Clasp; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the American Campaign
Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; and the Navy Occupation
Service Medal.
The Government of Great Britain made him an Honorary Companion
of the Order of the Bath and warded him the Oak Leaf Emblem after
Mention in Despatches. The King of Greece awarded him the grand
Cross of the Order of the Phoenix; the Government of Italy the
Grand Cross of the Military Order of Italy; and the Government
of France the degree of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor.