Gurke (DD 783) - Naval Cruise Book

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PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HENRY GURKE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (DECEASED) Born in Neche, North Dakota, on 6 November 1922, Private First Class Gurke atte nded the local schools and enlisted in the Marine Corps on 15 April 1942. Joining the Second Pack Howitzer Battalion of the Twenty-Second Marines, he shipped overseas on 30 July 1942 and landed at Apia, Upolu, British Samoa one month later. In September he was transferred to D Company of the Third Raider Battalion, and in February of 1943 accompanied his unit to the Russell Islands, returning to Esplritu Santos in March 1943. When he was transferred to M Company, Third Radier Battalion, Second Raider Regiment of the First Marine Amphibious Corps in June, Private First Class Gurke came face to face with the enemy in November at Bougain- ville. On 9 November 1943, he sacrificed his life in order that the BAR man by his side could continue to provide effective resistance to the enemy. For this action he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. The citation was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and presented to his parents at ceremonies in the Navy Department on 31 May 1944.

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This book is dedicated to the men who so ably demonstrated their professionalism aboard the USS GURKE from October 1971 to October 1972. Professionalism is demonstrated in many fields every day: firemen protect life and property, policemen risk their lives every day to protect our society, and people in every field endeavor to excel in their vocation. Professionalism in the NAVY is ships ready and able to defend the ideals upon which our nation was founded ... GURKE is ready ... GURKE is able . . . From: USS OKLAHOMA CITY Your performance in TU 77.1.2 has been marked by exceptional responsiveness and accurate shooting. Considered ourselves fortunate to have had you on our team. Well Done and thank you. Captain TICE From: USS STE RETT Red Baron of Tonkin Gulf welcomes GALLOPING GURKE as shotgun. CHICAGO reports several fast surface craft vicinity NSAR. You may well get chance to live up to your name. I plan to keep you between me and them. I ' ll zap the MIG ' s if you get the PT ' s. Good shooting. From: CTU 77.1.0 Let me express my appreciation for having had the pleasure of your company. Always a gallant competitor and tough warrior, your performance in Freedom Train ... has been superb. Accept our standing invitation for a return performance anytime. The Freedom Train Raiders can always use a few good ships. With zest, CHOO CHOO JOHNSON, Commander CRUDESGRU Seventh Fleet. From: COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET It is with great pleasure that I pass on to you WELL DONE from Admiral John S. MCCAIN, Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet. Your work providing Naval Gunfire has been acknowledged in all quarters of the Naval community for the superior performance it is. Please accept my sincerest congratulations on your past accomplishments and my best wishes for good hunting on future missions. VADM. W.P. MACK From: USS KANSAS CITY Of all the top performers in your task organization, GURKE and BERKELEY are tops. Their shiphandling and deck seamanship while alongside K.C. are consistently superlative. It is always a pleasure to service these two fine ships. They are PROFESSIONALS. The GURKE is manned by a very professional crew, and the ship itself is named for a man who was a true professional ...

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HISTORY OF USS GURKE (DD-783) Named for congressional Medal of Honor winner PFC HENRY GURKE, USMC, of Neche, North Dakota who was killed in action on Bouganville Island in November of 1943. The USS GURKE has had a noteable career in the Western Pacific During the course of two wars. Commissioned in 1945 as a 2,250 ton general purpose Gearing class Destroyer, GURKE is 390 feet long, 40 feet at the beam, and is manned by 260 men. Her armament includes 5 inch guns, anti-submarine weapons, and the latest array of small anti-aircraft missiles. During the invasion of Inchon in September 1950, GURKE was a member of the Sitting Ducks , remaining close to shore in order to provide gunfire support for the landing troops. She received three hits from enemy shore batteries, but suffered no fatalities. For her performance during this invasion GURKE was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. During a second patrol in Korea with Carrier Task 77, she received two direct hits from enemy shore batteries and seven fragmentation hits. Again no personnel fatalities resulted, and the enemy gun emplacements were soon silenced. During GURKE ' s Western Pacific operations in the early 60 ' s she visited four Australian ports and the Fiji Islands. She also saw extensive duty with the Joint Task Force at Christmas Island during the nuclear tests. After a period of operating with the First Fleet in the Eastern Pacific, GURKE entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton Washington in August 1963 for a Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) conversion. During this modernization, older weapons gave way to new anti-submarine weapons systems making GURKE a fast, capable platform from which to launch a wide assortment of weapons tailored to meet current anti-submarine warfare situations. Upon completion of FRAM, GURKE resumed her duties as an active member of the Pacific Fleet operating out of her homeport of San Diego, California. Between then and October 1971, GURKE made five deployments to the Western Pacific area around the Tonkin Gulf and South China Sea. She actively participated in Navy Search and Rescue efforts for downed pilots, shore bombardments, operations with aircraft carriers and defense against attack of high speed PT boats and aircraft.