NPR speaks with Jonathan Horn about his new book, "The Fate of the Generals," which tells the story of two commanders in World War II who received the same medal but found honor on different paths.

The 31-star Perry flag is visible in the background of this photo, which shows United States General Douglas MacArthur signing the official Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945.

Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu in behalf of Emperor Hir-ohito and .the Japanese government; Gen. Yoshijiro Umezu for Japanese imperial general headquarters, MacArthur, as supreme commander for ...

General Douglas MacArthur compiled five separate high-level Japanese surrender overtures—offering virtually identical surrender terms as we imposed on them seven months later—and sent them to ...

General Douglas MacArthur signs the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, USS Missouri, Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945. (Photo by: Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) ...

NPR speaks with Jonathan Horn about his new book, "The Fate of the Generals," which tells the story of two commanders in World War II who received the same medal but found honor on different paths.

Concerns by the Japanese regarding social unrest delayed the planned surrender, so American units only landed in Japan on August 28, the date originally set for the ceremony. The general arrived ...

NPR speaks with Jonathan Horn about his new book, "The Fate of the Generals," which tells the story of two commanders in World War II who received the same medal but found honor on different paths.