The “Eppy Maru” was classified as DDE 719 when I served aboard her April 1960 through late 1963. Wonderful memories, and am still in contact with 4 members of the sonar gang. Thanks to the PACT Act passed by Congress in 2022, I was just classified as 100% disabled by the VA because of severe exposure to red lead paint… and subesequent health issues. I also co-designed the pineapple logo for the Eppy… my first “commercial” assignment. The two of us won a week’s basket leave in Hong Kong (1962) and $25 each. We split the $50 prize in a shipwide competion.
I finished my 5 year tour of duty in Iwakuni, Japan. After the Gulf of Tonkin incident another sonarman and I were sent to the Phillipines to support patrol planes flying near Viet Nam. Thus I’m consideeed a Viet Nam Era Vet. I’m 82 and still drawing humorous art and cartoons for clients. I treasure some of my first drawings I created in the Navy. This was the beginning of a lifelong passion and an important part of my career. I’m thankfula
Served on the Eppy 1964-1966 West Pac 1954-1965 Sydney Austrailia,Jpan,Taiwan,Hong Kong,The Nam Gun Line,Great ship and crew.Made BM3 before going o the Fletcher DD445
I do remember the days aboard the eppy —made a lot of friends I’m still kicking and would like to hear from someone-the hurricane in the Sea of Japan.
My Father , Captain Paul K Clausen was a commanding officer of the Epperson when we were stationed in Pearl Harbor from 1964 to 1969
ST 1 1964-66
ICFN on board 69-71 arrived during the filming of Tora Tora Tora and thought war was starting all over again. Just a kid but grew up quick and learned a lot. Great travel experience and Viet Nam memories will be with me for life. Tough times, great friends, good memories.
I served on the Epperson 1953-55. Any one still around that served during that time. You can contact me at the above email. Elroy (Eric)
Was on board 67-68 left Jan 69 Bm3
Served from 1953 to 1956 After engine room . Made cruse to Eniwetok.
Gary Starks – If you get this, slip me a note via pmrdsc@aol.com.
USS Epperson DASH – 1965-1967
Denny Carlisle
Follow up to my original post.
A.O. Issues: I am a prostate cancer survivor. Prostate cancer is an AO caused disease. Procopio v Wilki was decided last year and it restored AO disability rights to Blue Water Navy sailors like us. You will need to learn the subject. Joining the Blue Water Navy Association at www.BWNVVA.org is your first step in learning the issues we all face. Our evaps were sucking in AO polluted water, concentrating it so we could bath in it and drink it. I have Eppe Deck Logs for the Sept/Oct 71-72 cruise. First gunline of the cruise. Also for Dec 72 to Jan 73 gunline stays. So if you need deck logs e-mail me at:
sans-dieu-rien@ sbcglobal.net
I’m happy to e-mail you copiesin pdf format. I can do the google earth map plots as well if you computer challanged.
I came aboard Eppe in Jan 71 as an FTG3 and stayed until I got out in July 73 as an FTG2. Did both the 71-72 & 72-73 cruises. What a life we shared together.
Saw a post from QMC Chinnery. Always wondered what happened to you. We had a great time together at SP HQ in Hong Kong in 73. You introduced me to Veal Parmesan at Luigis Gardens, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. It is still the dish I use to rate Italian restaurants!
On Jan 28, 1973 at 0800 Hrs the cease fire went into effect. That morning I was the Senior PO in IC Plot in charge of the Mk 1A Fire Control computer. Eppe fired her last shot in anger at 0752 that morning according to the clock in Plot. Deck Log has it at 0751. Proud to have served on her.
I now have a Vietnamese daughter in law and3 Vietnamese-American grandsons. Their VN grandpa was LT Chin Vu ARVN, our ally. Small world.
Looking for friends who served from August 1972 to when we came home to Seattle in 1973. Lots of love to all who served then.
I served as QMC 1972/1973 and still don’t know how I slept in the Chiefs quarters with the forward gun mount blazing away when we were on the gun line. Remember when that wire guided missile landed just off the starboard bow with all the ammo staged on the focsle. The Captain was sitting in his chair and immediately ordered flank speed. Since we were basically spinning as necessary off the coast, it seemed like an eternity before we got some headway.
Then after Vietnam Nam we changed homepotrts
To Seattle. Seemed like it rained every day there.
We went to Anchorage for Navy Day and coming
Back we hit one helluva storm.
Great times in Subic of course, good times with great crew.
Spent 30 years and retired as an LCDR,
Proud to have served on the Eppy!
Please update my personal info;
Name: Alfonso Pena
Address: 8741 E. Jacaranda st
Mesa, AZ 85207
Phone: 540.429.4862
We (USS Benner DD807) sailed with you in 1967 in the Gulf of Tonkin and along the North Vietnam coast. Somewhere during that WESPAC deployment we ether transferred personnel or parts and some one on the Epperson took at shot of the aft section of the Benner at full breakaway. Visible in the 03 ECM Shack was a sailor in the hatch looking back at the Epperson. That sailor would be me. I was the ECM ET at the time and that was my work station.. I’d love to get a copy of that picture.. I saw it once but was unable to copy it. Thanks in advance.. Clifford Foote ETn3
searching for any info as to a boxer tied to the USS Epperson. The boxer was named Huie . Hope someone has some information. He had duty with the destroyer while based in HAWAII
good to see some familiar names…served aboard Eppe 69-70..as YN2 Ship’s Office…Mike Jostedt mpjostedt@gmail.com
I was on the peppe eppe from 71 through 73 first a "
boats" then signalman third class
Reported for duty 1962Jan, made the 1962 West Pac Cruise,
then Fram, 1965 west pac cruise. Debarked Epperson
1965 December while anchored at Honk Kong. I reported
onboard as a SA, and made RM2 on the epperson.
I also attended the Epperson reunion In San Antonio texas,
and then the following in Louisville Kentucky.
Email me at. ldelafuente719@yahoo.com. would like to hear
from you. I have copies of ship’s log for the month of September 1965 thru November 1965. will to answer any questions dealing with the Blue Water Navy issues….today date: 16sept2015..
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61 comments
The “Eppy Maru” was classified as DDE 719 when I served aboard her April 1960 through late 1963. Wonderful memories, and am still in contact with 4 members of the sonar gang. Thanks to the PACT Act passed by Congress in 2022, I was just classified as 100% disabled by the VA because of severe exposure to red lead paint… and subesequent health issues. I also co-designed the pineapple logo for the Eppy… my first “commercial” assignment. The two of us won a week’s basket leave in Hong Kong (1962) and $25 each. We split the $50 prize in a shipwide competion.
I finished my 5 year tour of duty in Iwakuni, Japan. After the Gulf of Tonkin incident another sonarman and I were sent to the Phillipines to support patrol planes flying near Viet Nam. Thus I’m consideeed a Viet Nam Era Vet. I’m 82 and still drawing humorous art and cartoons for clients. I treasure some of my first drawings I created in the Navy. This was the beginning of a lifelong passion and an important part of my career. I’m thankfula
Served on the Eppy 1964-1966 West Pac 1954-1965 Sydney Austrailia,Jpan,Taiwan,Hong Kong,The Nam Gun Line,Great ship and crew.Made BM3 before going o the Fletcher DD445
I do remember the days aboard the eppy —made a lot of friends I’m still kicking and would like to hear from someone-the hurricane in the Sea of Japan.
My Father , Captain Paul K Clausen was a commanding officer of the Epperson when we were stationed in Pearl Harbor from 1964 to 1969
ST 1 1964-66
ICFN on board 69-71 arrived during the filming of Tora Tora Tora and thought war was starting all over again. Just a kid but grew up quick and learned a lot. Great travel experience and Viet Nam memories will be with me for life. Tough times, great friends, good memories.
I served on the Epperson 1953-55. Any one still around that served during that time. You can contact me at the above email. Elroy (Eric)
Was on board 67-68 left Jan 69 Bm3
Served from 1953 to 1956 After engine room . Made cruse to Eniwetok.
Gary Starks – If you get this, slip me a note via pmrdsc@aol.com.
USS Epperson DASH – 1965-1967
Denny Carlisle
Follow up to my original post.
A.O. Issues: I am a prostate cancer survivor. Prostate cancer is an AO caused disease. Procopio v Wilki was decided last year and it restored AO disability rights to Blue Water Navy sailors like us. You will need to learn the subject. Joining the Blue Water Navy Association at www.BWNVVA.org is your first step in learning the issues we all face. Our evaps were sucking in AO polluted water, concentrating it so we could bath in it and drink it. I have Eppe Deck Logs for the Sept/Oct 71-72 cruise. First gunline of the cruise. Also for Dec 72 to Jan 73 gunline stays. So if you need deck logs e-mail me at:
sans-dieu-rien@ sbcglobal.net
I’m happy to e-mail you copiesin pdf format. I can do the google earth map plots as well if you computer challanged.
I came aboard Eppe in Jan 71 as an FTG3 and stayed until I got out in July 73 as an FTG2. Did both the 71-72 & 72-73 cruises. What a life we shared together.
Saw a post from QMC Chinnery. Always wondered what happened to you. We had a great time together at SP HQ in Hong Kong in 73. You introduced me to Veal Parmesan at Luigis Gardens, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. It is still the dish I use to rate Italian restaurants!
On Jan 28, 1973 at 0800 Hrs the cease fire went into effect. That morning I was the Senior PO in IC Plot in charge of the Mk 1A Fire Control computer. Eppe fired her last shot in anger at 0752 that morning according to the clock in Plot. Deck Log has it at 0751. Proud to have served on her.
I now have a Vietnamese daughter in law and3 Vietnamese-American grandsons. Their VN grandpa was LT Chin Vu ARVN, our ally. Small world.
Looking for friends who served from August 1972 to when we came home to Seattle in 1973. Lots of love to all who served then.
I served as QMC 1972/1973 and still don’t know how I slept in the Chiefs quarters with the forward gun mount blazing away when we were on the gun line. Remember when that wire guided missile landed just off the starboard bow with all the ammo staged on the focsle. The Captain was sitting in his chair and immediately ordered flank speed. Since we were basically spinning as necessary off the coast, it seemed like an eternity before we got some headway.
Then after Vietnam Nam we changed homepotrts
To Seattle. Seemed like it rained every day there.
We went to Anchorage for Navy Day and coming
Back we hit one helluva storm.
Great times in Subic of course, good times with great crew.
Spent 30 years and retired as an LCDR,
Proud to have served on the Eppy!
Please update my personal info;
Name: Alfonso Pena
Address: 8741 E. Jacaranda st
Mesa, AZ 85207
Phone: 540.429.4862
We (USS Benner DD807) sailed with you in 1967 in the Gulf of Tonkin and along the North Vietnam coast. Somewhere during that WESPAC deployment we ether transferred personnel or parts and some one on the Epperson took at shot of the aft section of the Benner at full breakaway. Visible in the 03 ECM Shack was a sailor in the hatch looking back at the Epperson. That sailor would be me. I was the ECM ET at the time and that was my work station.. I’d love to get a copy of that picture.. I saw it once but was unable to copy it. Thanks in advance.. Clifford Foote ETn3
searching for any info as to a boxer tied to the USS Epperson. The boxer was named Huie . Hope someone has some information. He had duty with the destroyer while based in HAWAII
good to see some familiar names…served aboard Eppe 69-70..as YN2 Ship’s Office…Mike Jostedt mpjostedt@gmail.com
I was on the peppe eppe from 71 through 73 first a "
boats" then signalman third class
Reported for duty 1962Jan, made the 1962 West Pac Cruise,
then Fram, 1965 west pac cruise. Debarked Epperson
1965 December while anchored at Honk Kong. I reported
onboard as a SA, and made RM2 on the epperson.
I also attended the Epperson reunion In San Antonio texas,
and then the following in Louisville Kentucky.
Email me at. ldelafuente719@yahoo.com. would like to hear
from you. I have copies of ship’s log for the month of September 1965 thru November 1965. will to answer any questions dealing with the Blue Water Navy issues….today date: 16sept2015..