Epperson (DD 719) - Naval Cruise Book

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0 1Il.3.I1d.Ii.11g' Officer Paul K Clausen Commander USNavy Every Commanding Officer worth his salt becomes attached to his ship and many feel it is the best they have ever served on. This cruise has removed the possibility of any doubt in that evaluation--the EPPERSON is the best. Don't take my W01'd for it --- ask any officer or blue jacket on board. The EPPERSON Kudo file is heaped with well done letters and messages from Commodores to CNO It . reasure them because they were meant to laud the ship, and the officers and men who had the will, desire, and ability to make her perform as the truly great destroyer she is. The Saga of the new EPPE MARU began with a multi-million dollar conversion and the arrival of a new crew in late '64- The transition from helpless hulk to f t l igh ing ady was a challenging achievement made possible by the Spirit that was S302 to make EPPE famous. Like Lobo, King of the Pack, it appeared that she would soon lead the way and set the standal' 0 cunnin d f g an per ormance for others to follow. Each obstacle was met with enthusiasm and determination ---- refresher training, qualification trials in ASROC and DASH, shore bombardment training, type training, and finally the toughest Check' off of all The Operational Readiness Eval at' , u ion with an ASW task group where EPPE out-did them all with her Seek Out and destroy technique. But don't let me preempt the Wonderful story of this cruise for it can only be told by the men who were there ---- H19-king history in the proud tradition of the new EPPE MARU , -HU , . ,.., p f, ,. - 4 ' Q ef' -4 ' i,4,..- A If ' - 4.1.7 V- -- 'I . 0 t c f

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xecutive f'fice:l:v Robert L Dodd Commander USNovy I knew a man who used to say If it ain't fun, we're doing it wrong . In some ways, he was a nut, but he cotmted hard work as fun, and in this I think he was correct. The products of our own brains and abilities are always the most pleasing to us. I imagine that there will someday repose in some dusty naval archive a carefully worded description of our cruise. It does not concern me. I'1l take the memories, recollections and sea stories generated by the Eppe Maru on her romp through the Far East. Not so curiously, it was the difficult and exhausting chores I remember best. The shore bombardment, the high speed SAR actions, and the final thrill in holding a fast sub in a complex ASW environment are demanding, mankilling experiences that I would gladly do again and again. A destroyer is a complicated steel box crammed to overflowing with some 300 distinct personalities. The resulting friction and cooperation have developed many original and intelligent solutions to our mutual problems--and made us better men and sailors. The destroyerman is a s e 'al b d f t. L dsmerl p C1 ree o ca an can never understand us. I take a deep pride in having served with you--some of the finest men I have known. When someone tells me the grass is a little greener on the other side of the fence, I answer, Who needs it? You are the reason for that answer. f.w-wf+f '- ?1 X- ' H ,1-fr' V - ,. ..,.... ng. .a .MM . '34 I -. f' A ,-F' - ' 'f'-fj.. - .s ' 7 V h 7 ' -- ff' '-- f ' cf ' W .- 1 f- f - -.,,,, , .SKS-wad? Q.l:i- f 1- 531 27' 2 fi-4.213-25-i555Eli?213225i2'5iEifiif.?i 7 f SE-5 2?ffZEiEPE'?57ffif3iQiSE3i5iQj.j.3?:?E Figli? J 3 3:3-g' i:j3:fQfm Qjg fii: Ziff 5235231 ?Qi?3f '1l E59 if 'Tr LIP? fr 51:1 :L-:rw 116113: ii5ji1'1'i:q7-7-fr:-f 1-A f -4,i4,F-1'll 'f 'isl iiilz Q Tsai?-Q '.e?-:i1.'z,::-raerenzaes.aafi:.,-1.-4,.a.mee-....- Je-Q-, 4-,..a.af , . , E. . .. - 311 ,Vargas mn- A.. A ,X-,-A-11 13- - .Y - PH- V - - H A -,sam-.4Iv'