September 10th, 1945 (MONDAY)
NORWAY: Vidkun Quisling is sentenced to death (Verdict in Norwegian) for collaborating with the Germans during the occupation. During a visit to Adolf Hitler in Berlin in the winter of 1939-40, Quisling, the leader of the national socialist Nasjonal Samling Party, had pointed out how valuable it would be for Germany to occupy Norway. Immediately after the invasion, on the morning of 9 April 1940, he proclaimed himself the new head of the government and ordered the Norwegian armed forces to stop battling the Germans but he was ignored. Realizing that Quisling did not serve their purposes, the Germans chose to base their administration of the country on a certain degree of give-and-take with the existing civilian authorities.
Eventually, the Nasjonal Samling Party was declared the only legal party and Quisling was installed as Norwegian Prime Minister in 1942 and throughout the war he collaborated with the Germans. He was executed on 24 October 1945.
CANADA: Destroyer
HMCS Crescent commissioned.
HMC ML 066 paid off.
U.S.A.: General Jonathan M. Wainwright is awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman. The citation reads, "Distinguished himself by intrepid and determined leadership against greatly superior enemy forces.
At the repeated risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in his position, he frequented the firing line of his troops where his presence provided the example and incentive that helped make the gallant efforts of these men possible. The final stand on beleaguered Corregidor, for which he was in an important measure personally responsible, commanded the admiration of the Nation's allies. It reflected the high morale of American arms in the face of overwhelming odds. His courage and resolution were a vitally needed inspiration to the then sorely pressed freedom-loving peoples of the world."
The 45,000 ton aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVB-41) is commissioned at Newport News, Virginia. (William L. Howard)
Destroyer USS Agerholm laid down.
Submarine USS Diodon launched.
Aircraft carrier USS Midway commissioned.