Captain Fahrion and junior officers work out with medicine ball.

Keeping physically fit while onboard ship has always been a challenge. Habitability onboard ship during World War II was extremely austere by today's standard. While there was no gymnasium or fitness center onboard, limited means of physical fitness such as punching bags could be accommodated in various locations. Topside areas allowed workouts with a medicine ball or other simple weights. Boxing was a favorite pastime for the smokers.

The best opportunity for athletics, particularly the traditional sports of basketball and baseball, was when the ship was inport or at anchorage. Before and after the War, inport athletic events, particularly between ships, was the norm. During the War, in true liberty ports such as Pearl Harbor, other opportunities caused athletics to take a secondary role. However, the two sports were played regularly while at anchorages such New Caledonia, Majuro, and Ulithi where options for liberty were extremely limited.