Epperson (DD 719) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS . 1 I I 25 December 1952 'Twas the night before Christmas, on the Eppy our can We were off North Korea, eighty milesfmm Woman. The ship, steaming darkened, showed nary a light For who knows what may prowl on the ocean at night? cs - , But the radars were blip-less, the horizon was clear, And the OD was certain, no bogies were near, When Combat reported that something was wrong, From the business-like ANf ARC there came a faint song. Men looked at each other-this really was queer. They'd have sworn they heard Jingle Bellsn, faint but quite clear. The CO answered, Nonsense, go call an ET. I know it soundsipr-etry, but it just couldn't Belw But it wasn't just nonsense, and the music poured forth. Then Combat reported, Air contact-due Northf' ltls closing us fast, it must be a jet. T 1 So the ship was alerted,Ceneral Quarters was set. Men leaped from their bunks and the guns quickly manned. And a Gunner's Mate growled, Now ain,t this just grand! 79 Christmas Eve at CQ, and we're miles out at sea. Last year at this time, 'I was trimming the tree! 77 The contact came .closer as the seconds ticked by. And the stars shone down brightly against the black sky. Nearer and nearer. The guns were all laid. The next moment the contact was lost in a fade. ' He's on us, cried Combat, then a lookout yelled, 6'Hey! You may think I'm nuts, but it looks like a sleigh! And believeiit or not, by CruDesPac direction, It was Admiral Claus on his annual inspection. He delivered his presents and inspected the crew, Then we all gathered 'round to see what he would do. The plane guard was stationed, he saluted the Skipper, Then his sleigh zoomed aloft, headed straight for the diPPef' And we heard him exclaim as he shot f1'0m his landing, P, O ALL-AND YOUR SHIP IS OUTSTANDING. MERRY CHRISTMAS T

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