Welcome to the USS Epperson DD-719 Guestbook Forum

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Would like to hear from shipmates

My Uncle David P. Richardson was the executive officer and later the commander of this ship for a time during his career, he spoke fondly of it, did anyone here serve with him?

retired CAPT, SC, USNR…October 99

I have a Navy Uniform with tons of buttons (blue) that was worn during 1956 a 1960. It is in good condition that belongs in a museum somewhere! Also have nooks during that time frame! They belonged to a person who was stationed on the USS Epperson! Let me know if anyone would want these things?

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My first ship in the Navy

My father, James Bills, Jr. TM1, served on the USS Epperson from 1957 or 1958 to ’60, I believe. Does anyone know if they had any kind of role in Operation Hardtack in 1958? My father is deceased but he told a story of something similar and I was trying to place it. BTW, John Tucker was our neighbor in Hawaii.

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Years Served: Jan. 68 to Dec 69…I served aboard Epperson as a deck-ape and a gunnersmate. My time aboard was very eventful and I have wondeful memories of the friends that I made and the bonds that still tie us together. My time in the Navy was short but it truly made a man of me and I treasure it dearly. If any of you shipmates read this I encourage you to come to the next Epperson reunion in Nofolk, Virginia in 2011. It is and will be a wonderful expierience for you! Looking forward to seeing you there! Vince Volk GMG3

Years Served: 1974-75…The best from Yeoman Froman. I served on the Eppy up to decommissioning day. Transferred over to the USS McKean. Anybody who wants to connect, go to the Navy site of togetherweserved I retired in 1986.

Years Served: 1964-1966…I was CIC Officer, then Navigator under CDR Bob Dodd and CAPT

Years Served: ‘69-’70…When I came aboard the Epperson there were zeros buzzing pearl harbor. No, I’m not that old. They were filming Tora, Tora, Tora.

Years Served: 1958 – 1961…I wondered if anyone else remembered that typhoon we went through. Just to update, I now live in Reidsville, N.C. In reference to Mark’s wondering what ever happened to the Eppy Maru, I went to a website (I would have to search again to remember the whole site), it has to do with U.S.Navy Ships, then you key in the name and number of the ship. It will give you a complete history. I found the site a couple of months ago. The Eppy was sold to Pakistan and then later used as target practice and sunk. What a way to go. We had one of the best sonar teams around. I don’t remember which sub it was, but we fired (with no warhead) weapon A at the sub we were doing exercises with, they had to come in port with their periscope up as we made a direct hit and bent it. How embarrassing for them! They got even later and fired a torpedo (set to run on the surface rather than under the ship) and hit the fantail and sprayed red paint everywhere. I am sure it was classified, but I still would like to know who the contact was that D.H. Smith and I reported at 2:00 AM one morning. We had given the rest of the guys a break and taken the midwatch. I just know they turned us around and sent us back to Japan. I talked to D.H. several years ago. He was somewhere near Port Huron, Michigan at the time.

Years Served: 1958/1962…Ahoy Matey, I served aboard the Eppy in 58/59 I was in charge of the ships machine shop, made a lot of highly polished ash trays from brass cases for the officers. I remember very well the typooe that Richard SmithSmithy referred to (That was our brush with death) and I am still sea sick from that experience. I transfered from the Eppy to the USS Dixie because I could never find my sea legs, Some years ago Keith Barringer the fellow that did tha cartoon art work in the year book came by my house in Denver other than that I haven’t talked to any one from the ship. Love to hear from shipmates