They were a grim bunch, all deadpan. They had nothing to smile about.

The Lansdowne was selected to ferry the Japanese ministers and generals from the Customs House Dock in Yokohama to the Missouri.

He had to negotiate the rope ladder down to the launch. It was not an easy task, but no one offered to help him. Eventually, he managed.

Each of the other destroyers pulled up next to the Missouri for its special passengers to go aboard, but not the Lansdowne. We were ordered to stop a nice distance away, and the Japanese delegation was forced to take a small launch to the Missouri. The brass wanted to rub their faces in it.

We all knew something was up, but we weren't sure exactly what.

Let a smile be your umbrella, and you'll end up with a face full of rain.