Gurke (DD 783) - Naval Cruise Book

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On 20 October 1971, GURKE departed San Diego for an extended deployment in the Western Pacific. After a brief stop in Hawaii for refueling and a little rest and relaxation, GURKE and her sister ships of Destroyer Squadron 15 arrived in Yokosuka, Japan to Join the U.S. Seventh Fleet operating in the Far East Theater. In November of 1971, GURKE participated in sea of Japan Operations for which she was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and twice deployed ahead of schedule to assist the Seventh Fleet in times of crisis. On 27 December 1971, she participated in the Indian Ocean Campaign, and on 1 April 1972 she began a series of Naval Gunfire missions in support of troops in Vietnam during the North Vietnamese offensive. During both of these operations, GURKE received very high praise and numerous commendations for her actions. During the months of April and May GURKE was a very active member of the Freedom Train Raiders, taking part in approximately 50 gunfire strikes on enemy positions. She often received hostile fire, but either ignored it or neutralized it as she singlemindedly accomplished her missions. These actions allowed GURKE to add the Combat Action Ribbon to her list of awards. GURKE ' s final 1972 combat zone deployment was spent on Gunfire Support missions in South Vietnam and counter-insurgency operations in North Vietnamese waters during the month of June. The ship returned to Yokosuka, and on 9 August entered the Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul. Once again the crew was called upon to demonstrate their professionalism, for the installation of new weapons systems, the conversion of the engineering plant to Navy Distrillate Fuel, and the general refurbishing of a 27 year old ship required a high degree of knowledge and skill. Again the crew of the GURKE was up to the task.

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- 1 M OFHMR. Commander Daniel T. HOLLY, Jr., USN, 583459 1100, was born 23 October 1931 in Ontario, Oregon. He attended Boise Junior College and the College of Idaho, graduating from the latter in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. After being commissioned as an Ensign, USNR, upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island in April 1954, Commander HOLLY attended Naval CIC Officer School in Glenview, ILLINOIS. From October 1954 to March 1957, Commander HOLLY served as CIC Officer in the U.S.S. ALFRED A. CUNNINGHAIV1(DD752). This duty was followed by a twenty-seven month tour as Personnel Officer on the NATO Staff of Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe, in Naples, Italy. After augmentation to USN and completion of the General Line Course, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California from August 1959 to 1960, Commander HOLLY was assigned for two years as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. L0CAT0R(AGR6). Following a three year tour as a Chemistry Instructor at the U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY from July 1962 to June 1965, Commander HOLLY was ordered to the U.S.S. PRESTON(DD795) for duty as Executive Officer. From January 1967 to September 1968, Commander HOLLY served as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SAVAGE(DER386), followed by a twenty-nine month tour as Assistant Naval Operations Officer on the Joint Staff of Commander in Chief Pacific, in Hawaii. He obtained his present rank on 1 December 1967 during that tour. Commander HOLLY was then assigned as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GURKE(DD783). He will be going to a staff billet in Hawaii, leaving the GURKE in November 1972. Commander HOLLY is married to the former Miss Rita Piraino of Naples, Italy. Commander HOLLY is the recipient of the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V , and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm earned while he was in command of the SAVAGE.