Epperson (DD 719) - Naval Cruise Book

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L WEAPONS DEPARTMENT OFFICERS Z wifi www 1 . , . A Lt. R.L. Porter-Weapons Officer gl D.D.J. Ditoro-Weapons Admin. Assist. Lt. Cjgl R.J. West-ASW Oiiicer Ens. M.K. McGirr-First Lieutenant EHS- C-H- Johnston-Gunnery Officer

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. f-:LLM , , FIRST DIVISIO FRONT ROW QL to RQ: ENS. McGirr, SN Lacombe, SN Gilbert, SA Gorka, SN Tinsley, SN IfVat- kins, SA Gilbert, SN Hetzler, SN Chestman, SN Boone, SN Deibert, BMSN Hudson, SA Burch, SA Moss, SN Hazen, SN Nally, SA Diaz, SN More.lock. BACK ROW: BM2 Tucker, SN O'Conor, - SA Greco, SN Thatcher, SN Alvison, SA Putnam, SN McCain, SA Queen, SN Schwinck, SN Steiner, SN Higden, SN Berryhill, SN Reed, SN Pollari, SN Burkett, SN Robertson, SN Horgan, SA Shaddock, SN Utley, SN Cooper, BMI Howard. c At the hour of 0530 darkness still prevails on the high seas, and a group of hardy seamen, known collectively as First Division, is awakened by the stern voice of SN Chestman. In the morning the deck force has little time to wipe the dust from their eyes for decks must be swept and swabbed and the brightwork polished. The men respond quickly and efliciently to every task under its competent leadership. ' First LT ENS. McGirr is responsible for the training, direction, and coordination of personnel .assigned to histdivision. The leadng POS BMI Howard, BM2 Tucker, and BM3 Horn assign daily chores to their leading seamen Shuver, Chestman, I-and Robertson. The leading seamen teach new hands Diaz, Gorka, Greco, and Burch how to rig king posts and accommodation ladders, tie double becket bends, and paint bulkheads without leaving holidays . Veteran members Hudson, Pollari, Higden, Deibert, and Steiner help break in the new hands. I ' When there is a deadline to be met, one may find the duty section working well past taps. In spite of the late hours, paint on their bodies, and aching backs, few complaints are heard. First Divi- sion takes pride in doing any job assigned to them. The contributions made by First Division to- wards the preservation of the Eppersonfs exterior proves to all that the Seaman is the backbone of the Navy .