Epperson (DD 719) - Naval Cruise Book

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'YM '71 .x

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5 ,rs QS .fff?31'iiTEXiN, We vvaxmvwyxw . NMA ii 1 2 3 Z r A .Ye ,2 Q Q e554 za i x F 1 ef A41 ' 68 ,I .fl ju kf 44 ink SASE O With better than half our cruise behind us, and after a long bout with heavy seas, we stopped for a well deserved rest in Sasebo to celebrate the Holiday Season. We had a welcome White Christmas, much to our surprise -- a far cry from what we had been used to in Hawaii. And New Year's -- well, needless to say, it was brought in right in the best EPPERSON tradition. Except for that lonely mid-watch on the quarterdeck, and the hearty duty Section' all hands joined in the festivities. ' Sasebo was an athletic port to be sure. Besides the exercises at the O Club, CPO and EM Clubs, we had a big Christmas basketball tournament and a very successful boxing smoker. Our sea-going hoopsters , although ngt quite as conditioned as our shore duty counterparts, managed to make a good showing for themselves. At least we can boast that we beat the Hornet five -- a game that made the tournament worthwhile. A lot of enthusiasm was shown for our boxing team also. All was not fun and games, however. As during every in-port period, the days were hectic in making repairs and preparing EPPE for long and steady duty to come. r - t W Wm . f 2 2

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Russ an sh ps were encountered an the way ic Kaohsiung.