V-J Day Pyrotechic Display in Leyte Gulf

When Fred Halkett was living in Asheville, North Carolina he was very active in its art league and did a lot of painting.

In 1995, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of V-J day, many of the WW2 veteran artists living in the area were asked to submit any paintings they had for the war in the Pacific for a month-long city exhibition.

Fred painted 3 watercolors.

This one is about V-J Day in Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands, on the night of 15 August 1945 when Japan unconditionally surrendered. Most of the 7th Fleet was anchored there and set off the most fantastic fire display. Fred's water color trys to recapture this event.