Gurke (DD 783) - Naval Cruise Book

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CRUISE LCG of the USS GURKE DD-783 'N I CJ -:7 1 ' I LX Nm' Ufgpdmzzcnt Lttufny 1 Uf','LftCD oz Nun' 'rTCCO'dS 84 has t-Yfibfnwtcn '25, McClure, B. LWETSN Berry, C. L., BMSN Draper, F. W., SN Anderson, T. R., EN Cross, R. T., QMSN PODGjoy, G. G. ENEN Ens. R. L. Stout Ens. C. W. Swort EDITORIAL STAFF Editor Asst. Editor Asst. Editor Asst. Editor Cctrtoonist Ccrrtoonist Ndrrotor Officer-in-Charge tary

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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE U55 OURKE QDD-7831 The USS GURKE tDD-7831, built by the Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Washington, was com- missioned on 12 May 1945. She is named in honor of Private First Class Henry Gurke, U.S. M.C, of Neche, North Dakota, who was killed in action on 9 November 1943, on Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands. For his extraordinary heroism, Gurke was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Secretary of the Navy designated his mother, Mrs. lulius Gurke, as sponsor. After fitting out, the GUHKE joined Destroyer Division 51 of Destroyer Squadron FIVE, where she is serving to the present date. The ship first saw duty in WestPac from VI Day until her return to San Diego in February 1946. The GURKE again departed for the Western Pacific on 4 September 1947. This tour lasted until 28 May 1948 when she returned to her home port of San Diego. After this tour of duty, GURKE made a reserve training cruise to Wrangell Island, Alaska, via the Inland Passage to celebrate the 50th Anniver- sary of the Yukon Gold Rush. Another reserve training cruise followed, this time to Pearl Harbor, after which the ship carried out routine operations until leaving once again for WestPac on 5 Febru- ary 1949. This time while in Far East waters, she was Admiral Womb1e's flagship at Yokosuka, taking him to the Admiral Perry Day celebrations. She returned to ConUS on 28 November, and shortly afterward entered Hunters Point Navy Yard, San Francisco for a three month's overhaul. On 5 August 1950 the GURKE again headed for WestPac. This time she took part in the Inchon Invasion as a unit of the Sitting Ducks, and sustained three hits. Though two men were in- jured there were no fatalities. For this action the GURKF. received the Navy Unit Commendation, and the officers and men a Commendation by ComCruDiv Five CAdmiral I. M. Higginsl. The ship proceeded to take part in the Chinese Neutrality Patrol around Formosa, and finally returned to San Diego in April 1951. Following tactical exercises out of Pearl Harbor the GURKE received a six weeks restricted avail- ability at the Mare Island Navy Yard, and a hurried repair shakedown. She then departed once more for the Western Pacific on 4 january 1952. On 25 luly she started the trip home, arriv- ing, in San Diego on 10 August 1952. On 1 Sep- tember DesDiv 51 entered Hunters Point for another three month's overhaul. On 21 March 1953, GURKE headed west again, arriving in Sasebo on 15 April 1953. While operat- ing as part of Task Group 95.2, she received two direct hits. Three men were wounded, but again she suffered no fatalities. While operating as part of Task Force 72 on the Formosa Patrol she en- joyed three days recreation in Hong Kong and seven days in Kaohsiung, Formosa. On 3 October she departed WestPac on the way home, enroute Midway and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, arriving San Diego on 19 October to end her latest and best tour in the battle zone.