Epperson (DDE 719) - Naval Cruise Book

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TN Teresito Gutilo Reasol, USN l Terry Reasol entered the U.S. Navy with visions of visiting new lands and meeting people of different backgrounds from faraway countries. Leaving behind a quiet village on one of the Southern-most islands of the Philippines, Reasol first journeyed to San Diego, California, where he attended the school of instruction for Stewardsmates. Upon completion of this training, his new horizons broadened to Hawaii, where the Navy had ordered him to report aboard USS EPPERSON, home- ported at Pearl Harbor, Reasol served diligently in this command for several years. The ever-improving pace he set earned the privilege of becoming the Commanding Officer's personal steward. Reasol worked very closely with the commanding officers and received constant praise for his attention to detail, polite and self-assured manner. Once again his horizons were broadening. The former ship's barber had been detached from the command andlcom- bining previous barber training in the Philippines with his record of excellent performance, Reasol was recommended to fill the vacancy. He was delighted with the opportunity to practice his chosen profession as a Navyman. He met all customers with a cheerful greeting and took great pride in the work he performed, Then, without forewarning, he was gone from us. He had passed from this world at the youthful age of 28, having died from natural causes. It is difficult to believe that the friendly, little barber,who had become such a close friend of each of the crewmembers, would no longer be a part of our lives. We shall not soon forget your smiling face and your affable personality. Thank you for brightening our days. i i .Vs QE

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KQV' '15 MW 'f7,?wf'f ' illlvmnrial Svrrnirv On December, l970, an underway Memorial Service was conducted for Marine Corp PFC Harold Glen EPPERSON as the ship was transetting from Subic Bay, R.P., to homeport at Pearl Harbor. On this day, the ship passed just south ofthe island of Saipan in the Marianas chain - the island on which the ship's namesake gave up his life for his country. For this unselfish deed of heroism, PFC EPPERSON was presented posthumously the Nation's Highest Award, The Congressional Medal of Honor. AWCM ofa ae' aa, 'bu QE?- fg i -:ma ,f..'1,ia ieiflrlllllalllilll' . ,,n ..,.' , - v f 1 Am l l 52 if L Y

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if U55 L1 1 L 5 DD 71Ql L1fe at Sea The following section of black and white and color photographs IS based on the theme Llfe at Sea It IS a collection of plctures which brings veracity to the statement a picture IS worth a thousand words For those persons who made this or some other deployment the photos will bring back fond memories of sea farlng days For others we hope that the next pages will give you a better Insight into a sailing man s Life at Sea QEKSON D fir .9 414 5 KUA we