Epperson (DD 719) - Naval Cruise Book

Text from Pages 1 - 96 of the 1972 volume:

i USS EPPERSON DD-719 WESTERN PACIFIC CRUISE 19 AUGUST 1971 — 6 FEBRUARY 1972 PFC Harold Glenn Epperson, USMC (1923-1944) Harold Glenn EPPERSON was born on the 14th of July 1923 in Akron, Ohio. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jonett B. EPPERSON worked hard to raise their children and make ends meet during the slow dreary years of the depression which followed the post World War I boom. Like millions of other average american families who were beginning to know better times, the EPPERSONS were filled with anxiety and bewilderment at the mad whirl of war which followed in the wake of the 7th of December 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor. After a year of the new war had passed, Harold EPPERSON, who had by now reached the draft age, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves on 12 December 1942 at Cleveland, Ohio. When he was sent to Marine Corps Training at Camp Elliott, San Diego, California, his mother and father were only proud that their boy was able and willing to serve his country in the in- terests of freedom and world peace. By 15 May 1943 Private EPPERSON was in the field aiding the American forces in their campaign against the Japanese in the Pacific. On the 6th of August 1943 EPPERSON was pro- moted to Private First Class and in November of that year was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation in his part in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. PFC EPPERSON continued to do his part in the battle for the Pacific, until 25 June 1944, during the invasion of the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands, he gave his life on the battle scarred beach. For his meritorious serv- ice in the Battle of Saipan, Private First Class Harold Glenn EPPERSON was awarded the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously with the following citation : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese Forces on the Island of Saipan in the Marianas, on 25 June 1944. With his machine-gun emplacement bearing the full brunt of a frantic assault initiated by the Japanese under cover of pre-dawn darkness. Private First Class Epperson manned his weapon with determined aggressiveness, fighting furiously in defense of his battalion ' s position and maintaining a steady stream of devastating fire against rapidly infiltrating hostile troops to aid materially in annihilating several of the e nemy and in breaking the abortive attack. Suddenly a Japanese soldier, assumed to be dead, sprang up and hurled a powerful hand grenade into the emplacement. Determined to save his comrades. Private First Class Epper- son unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and, diving upon the deadly missile, absorbed the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body. Stouthearted and indomitable in the face of certain death. Private First Class Epperson fearlessly yielded his own life that his able comrades might carry on the relentless battle against a ruthless enemy, and his superb valor and unfaltering devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country. USS EPPERSON (DD 719) EPPERSON (DD 719) is a Gearing Class Destroyer whose primary missions are anti-air warfare. She measures 106 feet from waterline to mast tip, is 391 feet long, 40 feet wide at her beam and has a speed in excess of 30 knots. She has a crew of approximately 18 officers and 260 enlisted men. The construction of EPPERSON was originally approved during World War II. Her keel was laid in June 1945 at the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Kearney, New Jer- sey. Construction was stopped at the end of World War II and the uncompleted hull was towed to Boston Naval Shipyard where it remained until she was completed by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, and commissioned on 19 March 1949. The ship is named after Private First Class Harold Glen EPPERSON, USMC, who won with his valor and his life the Nation ' s highest decoration, the Congressional Medal of Honor, on Saipan during World War II. Extensive sea trials were conducted in the Key West, Florida area September 1950 at which time EPPERSON was transferred to Pearl Harbor. In 1951 and 1952 she saw service with the United Nations Forces in Korea and in 1954 with the U.S. Seventh Fleet Formosa Straits Patrol. Routine deployments to the Western Pacific with anti-submarine groups have been made by EPPERSON since 1955. She participated in the 1958 High Altitude Nuclear Tests at Johnson Island; and in 1962 she was stationed in the mid-pacific as a recovery vessel for Colonel John Glenn ' s historic flight. In October of the same year she was part of the recovery force for astronaut Walter Schirra ' s successful six orbit flight, and later in 1963 for the re- covery of astronaut Gordon Cooper. Since 1965, EPPERSON has completed seven deployments to the Western Pacific. During these operations with the U.S. Seventh Fleet she has participated in extensive gunfire support missions in support of U.S. Forces in South Vietnam, and as a unit of Operation Sea Dragon, EPPERSON made numerous raids against enemy installations along the coast of North Viet- nam. The successful completion of these gunfire missions, along with search and rescue mis- sions, and support of Attack Carrier Forces has indeed kept EPPERSON, a unit of Destroyer Squadron Eleven, On The Way . Commanding Officer Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Robert A. Bob Persell, Jr. was born 3 September 1939 in Oceanside, New York. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1961 with a B.A. in History and holds a Master of Science Degree in International Affairs from George Washington Univer- sity. He received his commission from NROTC in June of 1961. Lieutenant Commander Persell has served as main battery officer, navigator and ASW officer on board the USS HANK (DD 702) and as weapons officer aboard USS SARSFIELD (DD 837). He attended Destroyer School (class 4), Nuclear Power School and the Naval War College. LCDR Persell has served as an instructor at Destroyer School and on the cruiser LONG BEACH (CGN 9) before he began his tour as Executive Officer onboard the EPPERSON. LCDR Persell ' s wife is named Beverley and they have two children: Robert and Jeffery. -v  r « 1 ' ii ' S5 OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT ■t ! 1 Operations Officer Lieutenant Karl M. Sandway graduated from Augus- tana College with a degree in accounting. He received his commission from OCS. Marty ' s first tour of duty was aboard the USS ROCKBRIDGE (APA-28). This was followed by a tour in Headquarters - Alaskan Command - CINCAL. He attended the Naval Destroyer School before coming to the EPPERSON as Operations Officer. Lt. Karl M. Sandway 01 Division 01 Division at quarters. SN Russ Bundy instructs RDSA Mike Zoltek. SA Tony Aiello cleans up CIC. RD3 Terry Minter scopes out the situation. RD3 Dallas Kershner prepares for liberty call. RD3 Muska checks the message boards RD3 John Favel keeps a tight watch on the ECM gear I RDSN Charles Berbeza plots an air contact. SN Paul Grendell makes entry in the CIC log. RD3 Jerry Muska and FIMSA Joe Burdick catch some rays. RD3 Muska, SN Paul Grendell and RDSN Bob Blank check a signal onECM OE Division OE Division is responsible for the maintenance of the ship ' s electronic gear, including radar, communi- cations, counter-measures and electronic navigation equipment. Ashore, OE Division isn ' t very responsible at all. ETl Don Franklin tells Russ Bundy not to do that again. ETN3 Mark Zerr checks the comm gear. ETN3 Nellermoe Furry Bear. OE Division ETNSN Stan Tucker and ET3 Richerson While OE regains their composure, ET2 Steve Grozner gives Stan Tucker a friendly pat on the head. ETR3 Roger Richerson. ET3 Mark Zerr and ETNSN Stan Tucker. OC Division SN Tom Cleg, RMSN Ron East, RM2 Crazy Hans Hansen and RM3 Dave Bose at quarters in Hong Kong. RM3 Randy Means. RM2 Dave Moreland. b RMSN Joe Burdick. RM3 Dave Bose. i uys r PCSN Dave Glutton Gut Gamburd. RMSN Ron East. Crazy Hans and RMl Perfect RMS Art Bystrom. Rodney Higar. gj ■ HHk| j m H w f . ' ¥■ - ■ .- ' ■ ' g Bc ' MMT ' i ' Hk d Stto . ■5 Pm ' 1 ' iittK ' i s : X Signal Gang The Signalmen gather in their shack. Occupying the penthouse estate atop EPPERSON ' S pilot house are OC Division ' s Signalmen. A highly pro- fessional, hard-charging and hard-steaming group of men, EPPE ' s Signal Gang maintained an ever-alert visual watch. In numerous drills and exercises during many multi-ship operations, EPPE ' s highly reliable Signal Gang was always first out of the bag. In ad- dition, EPPERSON ' S Signalmen won much shipboard fame for their exploration and taming (?) of such fron- tier areas as Subic City and the Superior Inn. Their gallant efforts will be long remembered by all, on board and ashore. SM3 Jeff Bush challenges a passing ship. SN Nash, SM2 Billy Slay and SM2 Rushing receive a signal. Signalmen at quarters. ■ if f 1 J i Leading Signalman Wade Pryor studies a pub. Chief Master-at-Arms SMC Ran- dolph spends a lot of time on the Signal Bridge. Weapons Officer Lieutenant Michael G. Bunker graduated from Swarth- more College with a B.A. in English. In 1964 he received his commission from OCS. Lieutenant Commander selectee Bunker has served in the headquarters of the Third Naval District, aboard the USS UHLMANN (DD 687) as navigator and ship ' s secretary, and aboard the USS VALCOUR as navigator and Operations Officer. He attended destroyer school be- fore coming to the EPPERSON as Weapons Officer. LT. M. G. Bunker Gunnery Division FTGl Severin, GM Chief Selectee J. D. Seller and LTjg Neil Mathison discuss plans for the day. SA Nellie Nelson, starts an Nellie instructs the use of the .45 Cal. pistol UNREP with a shotline. while SA Hardie and SN Nash look on. Second Division at quarters i Second Division instructs the use of fire arms. FTGSN Robert Green insures Gunnery Division receives their due recognition. SN ' Hoss Harrison is distracted during quarters. GMGl J. D. Seller familiarizes LTjg Wisberg on the use of the Ml rifle. SA Mapson and GMG3 Ryan clean the barrel of MT 52. Second Division at quarters in Hong Kong. LTjg Mathison and the FT Gang observe an UNREP. FTG2 O ' Brien and FTGSN Greene put a hash mark on the Director. Ens Baker wonders how fast SN Hoss Harrison ' s beard will burn. First Division For many, First Division was a starting block to- wards a new and interesting tenure in the Navy. For others, a hard and miserable way of life. Work was the order of the day— everyday. It is the Boatswains Mates ' responsibility to main- tain the topside appearance of 75 per cent of the ship and also furnish watchstanders in the pilot house and gunmounts as well as many special details: rearming, refueling, replenishing, to name but a few. Often tired and weary, these men never failed to meet a commit- ment. There will always be a place in this man ' s Navy for the blood and guts sailor. BobJudd, BM2. Angelo Bruno, The New York Expert. ' SN Bierly over 4 and proud. SN Flores, SN Pogenpohl and SN Butterbaugh take a break while two engineers look on. LTjg Kapolulu and BM3 Rhodes discuss First Division affairs. Minnesota ' s Tom Peterson, alias Poke Chopper Another hard days work for Seaman Ski, BMC Red- mon does not seem to approve. First Division YN Mike Isbell and Weps YN Dale Parks, The eyes of the ship during UNREPS, dis- cuss their job with Signalmen Anderson and Bush. SN Copeland, BMl Smith, SN Bruno, BM3 Collins, SN Yadao, SN Stafford and SN Watson lounge during an UN- REP for fuel. BMI Marcial - all work and no play ' .-Jf« ' -«-Jl-.JJt.- J ™ GMG3 Perry, BMl Marcial and BM2 Judd «__ discuss last night ' s liberty with PO Powers. SN Butterbaugh reports surface contacts during one of the bridge watches. SN Bierly, the Toad, reties his life jacket. , ■ nn|MH| m 1 HH ' It ■ . ■i j H 1 9 :- IH BMl Moyer in one of his sober moments. SN Kielty, SN Stear - Over the side ' SN Pogenpohl. BM2 Judd, SN Stear, SKSN Wicke and GMG3 Hovington under the watchful eye of HM2 Wong. Redmon, BMC. SN Brett McDonald, Washing- ton ' s own. Mike Isbell - an Okie and proud of it. BMl Marcial and BM2 Judd supervise side work. Third Division Third Division is composed of Gunners Mates, Gunners Mate Technicians, Torpedomen and Sonarmen. The primary mission of Third Division is Anti-Sub- marine Warfare. The responsibilities of Third Division are detection, classification, tracking and fire control for prosecution of submarine targets. The personnel of Third Division have performed in an outstanding pro- fessional and military manner to provide maximum support for EPPERSON ' S fine anti-submarine warfare team. 4- GM2 Daienirche r STG3 Terry Henwood STG2 Realander STG3 Massen f ' i- If rt m p ■ • GMT3 Hovington 9, A - GMTSKarlQuaas ' 1 • i ' , m ' . STG2 Rich Dingf ield STG2 Gilbert Sti-uebing Chief Readmon Chief Clark Chief Simpson STG3 Dennis Tracey STG2DanlFowers I GMT2 Nitche GMG3 Hovington 1 r la ib Sb B ., V STG2 Rich Dingfield TM3 Sison TM3 Kripas ENGIHEERING DEPARTMENT Engineering Officer Lt. Dan Salinas Lieutenant Dan Salinas comes from Dona, Texas. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1966. His first tour of duty was as ASW Officer aboard the USS SOUTHERLAND (DD 743). He then served as officer in charge of a swift boat in Viet Nam. He then attended Naval Destroyer School before coming to the EPPERSON as Engineering Officer. He holds the Bronze Star, two Navy Com- mendation Medals and a Purple Heart for service in Viet Nam. ' ' ■■1 ,1 B i t t- ir M Division MM2 Bob Malo FN Howard Atchley FN Frey FN Steve Kratts FN Duran MMFN Kevin Sheridan M Division at quarters The men of M Division operate and maintain the propulsion machinery which propels the ship. Working in the engine rooms up to 16 hours a day in 140 temper- ature, the mechanist makes claim they ' re the real driving force behind the ship. MM3 Steve Wold and MM2 T.S. Wright keep a close watch on the gauges. MM3 ■Zim Zimmerman comes up from lower level to cool Lower MMFN Boyd McMurdy and MMFN ■Tudor Walters think about a day in Subic Bay. Left MMFN Dale Kragh and MMFN Ermal Mahoney MM2 ■Berk Berkheimer and ENS Sledge Sch- reider MM3 Harris lights off the bilge pump. m l pP — v_ j| w m p t y ' ■I tPw A ' Pr ■ T- am w i ■ j|H 1 1 While on the gunline, FN Higdon calls Chicken Delight for a pizza. MM3 Phil Phillips slaves over a hot turbogenerator. FN Heavy Blood Patterson keeps up the bell log. Far Right MMFN Partlow asks, Can I come up for air now? .w BTl Virgil Ramsey asks, We ' ve got oil squirting out of where? BTC Simpson runs a tight watch. B Division The men of B Division claim to be the best steamers on the ship, and for good reason, as they operate and maintain the ships boilers producing steam for the ships main engines. Long hours under terrific heat are nothing new to these boiler technicians. BT2 Vic Gallicehio checks the watch bill. BTFN Munchin Muniz comshaws shoe polish from BT3 Ski Sechelski. BT2 Talmage super- vises the boiler watch. FA Baker enjoys doing his PMS. ' ' 4 BT3 Adderley is happy to get off the mid watch. BT3 Sample wins the sympathy of BT3 Craig. BT3 Hoffman thinks about his next liberty. BT3 Saxon makes new coffee. BT3 Jim Liken, the ships oil king says I thought this was in. mk ' BT3 Johnson keeps a close eye on boiler ' s water level BT2 Reg Gmuer cuts some slack on watch. BTFN Mumchin Muniz became the pride of the department when he downed six eggs in 28 seconds. BTFN Marshall makes it out of the rack. BT3 Marion Sample makes more steam. i 4 nH Lji. , A BTFN Steve Schaefer and BT3 Ricky West- forth get the most out of their free time. BT2 Wheatley claims, I only make top quality steam. FA Strader shows his best grin. E Division E Division contains both the ship ' s General Electric Corp., and it ' s Bell Telephone Co. Electrician ' s mates control the General Electric Corp ' s responsibilities in this capacity are responsible for the care, main- tenance, and successful operation of all shipboard electrical systems. IC men handle the Bell Telephone Co. ' s responsibilities and therefore must insure that all areas within the ship have the ability to communicate with each other. Cummulatively, E Division is best thought of as the Electricity division, anywhere you find it aboard ship you will find E Division. EMI Johnson is E. Division LPO L V , 1 IC3 Soderlund check the manuals. FN Conners stands his switchboard watch. EMFN Bates breaks for coffee. FN Botonis calls the cooks for breakfast in bed in the morning. EMFN Forsyth rigs for movie EM3 Waldrip FN Simmons IC3 Ryan relaxes while standing his gyro watch. R Division R Division contains both the ship ' s con- struction company and her Servicing Dept. Hull Technician ' s compose her construction company and are responsible for all the repairs to the ship ' s hull, construction and superstructure as well as the construction of any object that the ship ' s company requires. Enginemen and ma- chinistmates represent the ship ' s servicing de- partment known as A Gang. They must insure that all of her auxiliary equipment from the main air-conditioning system to the ship ' s boat operate successfully. The R in R Division means Repair . MRl Simensen and HT3 Millard take a break during HELO detail ? ■ MMCS Laird, spit and polished for liberty call. MM2 Kirk hold an annual 1 on his body. HTFN Tanner discussing placement of a firemain valve with his L. P.O. HT2 LOE. HTFN Koopman, HTFN Goodnight, and FA Butler contemplate work to be done next!? HT3 Riden takin ' slack! MMFN Mann, HT3 Picoc, and HTFN Goodnight after H , knock-off. ENFR Fortier stand- ing a watch in the hole. h;N2 Seals Turnin ' and A-Burnin? Why do I have to stand an MM ' s throttle watch? Asks ENS Sneider. HTFA Keller asks, Mess cooking ; who me?! ' That ' s some still FN Nefzger has built: but for J. P. 5? HTFN Sullivan putting away his proximity suit with HT3 Tanner ' s help. EN3 Sallee in the ma- chine shop as usual. SUPPLY DEPARTMENT Supply Officer LTJG H. McDonald USNR A graduate of the University of Michigan Ltjg Doug McDonald, received his commission through Officers Candidate School. He proceeded to U.S. Naval Supply School where he was qualified as a Supply Officer. His wife ' s name is Audrone, they have no children. F pi 1 Kgj •i? ' ..j t mi r J BT3 (CS) Egan breaking out lunch? Supply Department The commissary men, and stewards mates work many hours each day in order to prepare varied and complete meals for the officers and men of the Epperson. The ships store, the ships laundry, and the ships barber shop, make ship board life much easier by supplying for many of the everyday needs of the crew, while the disbursing clerk makes everyone happy on Pay Day. The storekeepers are the ones that take care of almost everything that comes aboard the ship. Their storerooms contain everything from pens to repair parts. CSSN Bryant keeping the galley passageway spotless. P03 DesJardins preparing a meal. busily Thomas Van Dorn when he ' s not cooking he ' s a Draftsman. Cook ' s Johnson and Caswell discuss the preparation of the meal. V v. George Johnson yes, cooks sleep in beds, too. I stewards mates Toledo, Gonzalvo, and Lopez survey the Pacific. CSl J. C. Clark naps in the first class lounge. SH3 Carter ships Laundryman SHI Cline flanked by USS ENTERPRISE during an unrep. Ships laundryman relax in Supply Office. SH3 Griffin ships store operator Ships barber Eddie Byrd reading in the crews lounge w Wlf TN3 Toledo catch- ing a little sun. SKSN Gibson supply office ' s Alabamian. TNSN Lumbang straightening up in after of ficers. SHSN Ancho serves as a line handler during unreps. ■Jf-ft Gulley, SH3-likes napping in crews lounge. Storekeeper Hill expands his mind. ' rwwm,. SKSN Wicke on liberty in Subic Bay, P.I. DKl Chapman every- ones friend on Pay Day. TNI Auggie San Augistin rigs Christmas lights for the wardroom door. SKC W. D. Eley, Logan, Ohio. SN Nakagawa takes a break on the mess deck. SHSN Vegar. X DIVISION y Navigator Lieutenant (jg) Robert Wisberg Lieutenant Ijg) Bob Wisberg is from San Luis Obispo, California. He attended California Pol- ytechnical College with a degree in Engineering. He received high commission from OCS Whirly Wisberg served as first LT aboard the USS Nicholas DD 449 before coming aboard the Epperson as Navigator and 3-M Co-ordinator. Bob and his wife, Susan, have one child: Travis. rri Quartermasters Quartermasters have a very important task of safe navigation of the ship. They are skilled in celestial navigation as well as dead reckoning piloting. QM3 Moises Karaan steers the ship under the watchful eye of QM2 Dale Knuppel. Colorado raised David Lacroix touches up the wing. QMl Stanley Melman leads and instructs quartermasters aboard the ship. QM2 Dale Knuppel, QMSN Doug Andrews, QMS Moises Ka- raan, QMS David La Croix. Hospital Corpsmen Hospital Corpsmen are of obvious importance to the ship in that they not only treat the ill, but insure medical and sanitary regulations are up held throughout the ship. X Division at a typical morning quarters. SN Charles Hines stands unrep medical watch. HMC Glen Wade instructs in, and oversees all medical activities. Got a hangover? See HM2 Wellman Wong for his super hangover pill. Ship ' s Office Personnelmen and Yeomen, have many jobs, from the plan of day to transfers. They are the ships record keepers, the letter writers, and even the ships newspapermen. The ships office indeed stays busy. 5 r if  -r- The castways of X-Division, Ens Baker, SN Mason and 3-M Yeoman Dickerson. YN2 Brian Meek, grows another beard. SN Larry Fudge, YN2 Brian Meek, and PN3 Bill Harlan try to ■ ' cool down ' the ships office. PNC Ray Goss keeps the ships office running smoothly. Junior Officers Ltjg Neal Mathison, U.S. Naval Academy, Nuclear Power School, Gunnery Officer. ENS Glen Cline, University of Kentucky, ASW Officer. Ltjg John Kapololu, U.S. Naval Academy First Lieutenant. I ENS Cline and Ltjg Neil Mathison look at land for the first time in 32 days. ENS Gene Baker, U.S. Naval Academy Executive Assistant Kip Schur holds the West Pac sit-up record with 61,000. Ltjg Bill Bauman, General Motors Institute, MPA. Ltjg Craig Canaday, Miami of Ohio, Communications Officer. i.« 5«r.i .i„ i eui. Of rttijKiiv iuBie a 1 , se.1.. IN THi fOl ' Olii ' lii -fOXMtrieA . fc ' u e To SIX Tnou AA 0-VAPPi,jisrti?i THl ifWi ce TcuKitii euiF U C ' iUHA!_ cM oure TO iusic s f ivs ne is ST C(fucp.1 ' :ur £MPlf M£Ar- SK£_e John Kapololu gets checked out in the pistol. CO (, QMM c ,_ SoMlX tiA __„Ji;pr_. TO Hu TioA ' . oTc _H£ acTj as seuiiirt- s utm fuwr Ffiig_ Mt -LuEn,Tt- itUiAi Kjar ECVK FC AT OAje Tc EiMO . J ' eoL lif _Xa£Ai . EyA ' £ tvrtt) THin tliJ i Se UAJS—lS T- £ 8-i lt(iSJt Mli T Kii Mi -Fa A! -4lgC£ itT C ' tHXiEg _ fjchi BliC I ' i ' CLO , JAlTV-J UTM TO P£Lk£ AT I ' HilDUi ' Cue ei AJJJ it ' CXOiMftSiTglJ c. _rD MII Uj ' I I B ' iil COjiCiE 0 iL£ M£ Afy£ .Ttf Sm This AJieMT SU S ' lUii .iOUlO. io lf Sxi_i £_ H4t£ ei ceiuPjt±0Aj _yoii£. -.MtO-ilNce, hS ' e luoT lAi rtiKK-J f KcAd __Pu f gf-Jil ' l Oi -CtJOlTiCA,i FOUlf . . To KttP Hi i f f FKC -) hOi ' (£ ijtriTi _  vf« t iekf uto evT Fee Rv iA ' t i: ci Hn _AL o«L O ' fiPi-K rtcf tijt e ic . A f , i ic ccnac o f zeiee Tjtgcf; . Ift eitiH sea M Kf n H fep n trteif UT wiT( i it(t ' CFi_ i,au. sas i Sf i ' fC iTti tH ' i KCKVi he ' 14. iU o frfK c-tK jdAlD K ' H T ri%i LI Jia—F a e H ti AYi? Kip Schur.and Pat Savidge show them land, work with the mid watch log on New Year ' s Day. 6 ' ' VC r iTCM . ' ff • ' ■ ; EPPERSON Says Aloha DC3 Randy Millard gets one last kiss. DCFN Sullivan, P. O. Kirk sadly say good-bye. An emotion filled Quarterdeck. To Beautiful Hawaii ENS Rich Wright hopes it ' ll be a short 6 months. And on the pier another touching scene. The ship learned to perfonn smoothly during luirep at sea. Handling and storing ammo became common place. EPPERSON Travels While on the suneline, the ship not only performed superbly shooting guns, it also rescued a fishing vessel, hosted U.S. Marines and Vietnamese for lunch on several occasions and even sponsored a U.S.O. show during an Unrep. Port and starboard watches required many people to be fed rapidly. Marine spotters on the beach enjoy lunch on the Eppe. To The Gunline Off South Vietnam Ltjg Mathison and Ltjg Bauman stand a bridge watch off the coast. On occasion, time is found to relax. SN Bruno is BMOW. But It Was Not All I- Work With No Play II !■■! I minMniriinnimi Eppe Receives A Pat On The Back HELO Details — Everyday Routine The capability of resupplying and personnel transfer via Helo is a time saver over Unreps and draws many onlookers. While Unrep Details Resupplying at sea provides the EPPERSON with a method of maintaining long underway per- iods without dependence on shore facilities. ' — — iM % ■m f % % K 1 l l ii|0 Were Holiday Routine 5J, m Helo In Flight Refueling EPPERSON has the capacity of refueling a helicopter while it remains inflight. This greatly increases capabilities, range, and usefulness of a carriers helicopters. ' ' ■;- 006 ' i H rfllSI H pp ' ' pg glgl The Great Blueberry Loyal EPPERSON fans support Guts Gutowski as he matches mouths and speed with killer Knopf from the USS ROBISON. Ltjg Kapololu refs the match to insure no foul play is done by killer. % I ' y y m v . i . Onlookers came from near and far to witness the event. Pie Eating Contest SN Gutowski gets DESRON Eleven recognition as he is congratulated by Commodore Kaye. The winner: Guts Gutowski. Both prove to be good sports as killer congratulates the winner. i yt The Peppe Eppe is Soviet Overflight over the USS ENTERPRISE results in scrambling U.S. Escorts. F-4 Phantom lowers tail hook for a carrier landing. Planes rest for the night. A-7 returns from an offensive strike. On The Way, At Yankee Station The USS CORAL SEA lands its last plane for the day. Ltjg McDonald watches as Tom Van Dorn broils a filet mignon on the ECM Deck. Christmas On Yankee Station The Captain and XO join in on the festivities. SN Nelly Nelson leads the joyful noise in Christmas Carols to the crew. ' )-„ . Eppe ' s Own New Year ' s Day Baby ,is -■n smm ' Drama Strikes The EPPERSON Seaman Clegg armed with lifejacket and binoculars looks out for any misfortune ahead. Reliable sources predicted that the EPPER- SON would sink in the sea of Japan on Nov. 7th. Strange indeed. That after many schedule changes, we were in the sea of Japan on Nov. 7th. How- ever, it all proved to be a laughing matter. Not so when BM2 Robert Judd, was washed over board on Yankee Station. Fortunately, an alert helo crew rescued Bob in a matter of minutes. Untrusting Ensign Baker prepares for a quick escape. Angel 005 lowers a wet, but happy Bob Judd to the Fantail. Bl ■1 I ■ ■  T HOC . af — — — _ A . ' oTT. ,. Ho on « ' -■ 7 T rT ' E -A r HO-. ■n a V. ■ l. ■ - y ' ■ :• ;■:■ ' i X ■ The Countdown ' 1971 Cruise Statistics: Total miles — 24,872 Fuel Consumed — 2,969,162 Times MWB Launched — 13 Times MWB Recovered — 12 % of Successful Recoveries — Best Helmsman— SN Clegg Best Egg Eater — Munchin Best Pie Eater — Guts Heaviest Roach — 16 lbs. 4 oz. Heaviest Rat — 10 lbs. ZVz oz. Number of sit-ups done by Ltjg Schur-61,000 Highest weekly average rack time — Ltjg Mc- Donald-97% hours. Gallons of oil scrubbed off the ship : At Sea 227 Gal. In port 96 Gal. Largest Roll 47 o No. of people before roll 268 No. of people after roll 267 No. of ports visited 6 The Eppe Excels In Sports EPPERSON had an excellent season in sports this cruise. Our basketball team defeated every ship it played except for the USS ENTER- PRISE to end with an 8-2 record. GMG3 Hovington and RM3 Means guard an opponent. Two points for the EPPERSON! Tank Tindall was player coach of the team along with MR-1 Simenson. The team takes a break at half time. Our soccer team played only two different teams, lost to George Dewey High School, Subic Bay, but soundly defeated the USS KNOX. SK Wicke challenges a George Dewey High School player. Vi t ! «M  -. KiE nutM«a Cruise Book Staff The Cruise Book is the result of many hours of hard and tedious work by the Staff. I w ant to thank the staff, as well as all the other crew members who helped us develop film and print pictures. With the extra help received from Russ Bundy, Pat Wade, Ed Byrd, Chief Patt, and especially ENS Cline and HTFN Sullivan for completing the book after my departure. ENS Gene Baker is distracted from his work. ET2 Steve Grozner was the sUff. Think Tank for the cruise book. LTJG Bob Wisberg provided many invaluable pictures. HTFN Phil Sullivan prepares the DC-SF Shop tor darkroom capability. Special thanks to FITFACPAC, USS CORAL SEA, and USS ENTERPRISE for their help with pictures. And lastly, I wish to express my ap- preciation to Van Rhodes: without who ' s help, this booli surely would have been impossible. Gene Baker Project Officer BM3 Van Rhodes was the staff ' s layout editor. f Mf ll ENS Gene Baker was project officer. RDl Ed Dare, Business Manager. Sells cruise books on the mess decks. A Tired Ship Returns Home BTl Ramsey and EMI Johnson check their west pac goodies. STC Clark and Family BT2 Talmage does the Aloha honors. The pooped Peppy Eppe, the Patriarch of the Pine- apple fleet, pulls into Pearl. Bob Wisberg joyfully greets his wife, Susan, and Travi . WALSWORTH WTT tniisf Book Sales Offiws PtTBLISHING III 7te7 Herschel Avenue COMPANY JU L La Jolla, California 92037