Gurke (DD 783) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 40 text:

In again, out again, back again Nelson! This is the name of a 55-year-old sailor who's been in and out of the Navy at intervals during a period of 35 years, and is listed as a Commissary- man, first class, George D. Nelson, of Kennewick, Washington, is known to his friends as Pop. Nelson, who has served with the Navy through three wars, first enlisted in Iune, l9l7 at Enter- prise, Oregon. His first duty station was the MIN- NEAPOLIS, a light cruiser on duty between New York City and Brest, France. After the war he did tours on the old battlewagon ILLINOIS and de- stroyer PATTERSON before being discharged in December, 1920. As a civilian Nelson practiced the trade he learned in the Navy - cookery. During this first 20-year intermission he married an Oregon girl and raised a daughter. In March, 1942, he reenlisted as a first class cook. He immediately joined the Sea Bees. Four months later his unit landed at Guadalcanal. In October, 1942, Nelson was transferred to a minesweeper in the South Pacific. He served there until his discharge in March, 1945. As a civilian again, Nelson was able to fulfill a longtime ambition. He operated his own restaur- 5 Eff! ant in Kennewick, Oregon. Here he joined the Naval Reserve. After the sudden Communist invasion of Korea, and at an age when most professional Navy men have retired, Nelson volunteered for active duty. He offered his restaurant for sale and prepared for another chance to serve his country. In 1950 he was sent to Guam-from there to Okinawa. His job on both islands was supervising the mess- halls. In mid-1952 he was ordered to shore duty at Astoria, Oregon. But the old fever he contracted during World Wars I and II returnedg he re- quested duty on a ship bound for Korea. His re- quest was granted and he reported to the GURKE at San Diego in Ianuary, 1953. And Nelson is quick to state that the ship is one of the finest he has been privileged to serve aboard. Nelson has appeased the curiosity of many of his shipmates who ask the frequent question: How long this time? His answer typifies his amiable manner: Until they blast me loose! It's a strange saga of a man who rediscovered his career after more than 35 years of hellos and goodbyes.

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Page 41 text:

,-31 ODE TO PEPCO As We close now, at the end of our track Let's not forget him who didn't come back He loved the Gurke, 'twas mutual I know 'Cause the King o' the Ship was little PEPCO. He growled, he barked, he howled and cried At teasing sailors on ships' alongside And it didn't bother him, he'd just shrug When Nature'd call and there'd be no tire plug So as We remember our lovable dog 'Nr lr' And make our entry in the log HPEPCO lost at sea this day ...... That's all, no more, he'd want it that Way. I on