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U. S. C. G. Lightship Sailor Images from the past

Herbert Eppinger BM2, ? Edwards, ? Davis on Diamond Shoals Lightship WAL 189

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I was not a career man as I served actively a little less than 4 years, from April 16, 1952 to March 13, 1956. I enlisted for 4 years but got out a little early to start college. Of course, my discharge gave me credit for 8 years, including inactive reserve.

After boot camp at Cape May, NJ, I spent about 4 months at the Alameda, CA C.G. Station awaiting a berth on a ship in the 14th C.G. District. During that period I completed Fire Fighting School on Treasure Island and Sonar School in San Diego, CA.

I was assigned duty on the U.S.C.G. Cutter Ramsden (WDE 482) which performed weather reporting and sea & air rescue duties in the Pacific. The Ramsden visited ports at Midway Island, Guam, Japan, and ADAK, Aleutian Islands, AK during my approximate 2 years of duty aboard it.

I spent about 3 months at the San Diego Naval Shipyard while decommissioning the Ramsden and spent almost 2 years on the Diamond Shoals Lightship (WAL 189).

I ended up being a Boatswain Mate because there were no vacancies in the Sonar field an attained the rank of BM2. I earned the following medals; Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Korean Service, and United Nations.

In civilian life, I dropped out of college to take a position with the U.S.D.A. in the agricultural field, from which I retired in 1987, after 31 years of service. After retirement, I dabbled in real estate development and was named to the Board of directors of a bank in 1987 and am still serving in that capacity after 33 years.

I was married in 1959 and have 3 children and 6 grandchildren

Herbert L. Eppinger  (August, 2010)

Berkeley Springs, WV

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Herb Eppinger BM2 on Bridge of WAL 189  1955

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Diamond Shoals Lightship (WAL 189)  1955

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Enjoying some R & R, Herb Eppingger BM2 at helm, forground RH ? Edwards, On engine box ? Davis  1955

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Herb Eppinger BM2 getting some recreation aboard the 189  1955

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