Gurke (DD 783) - Naval Cruise Book

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USS GURKE QDD-7831 is commanded by CDR Joe L. Holland, USN. GURKE is a unit of Destroyer Squadron 15, Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and is forward deployed to the Seventh Fleet, operating from Yokosuka, Japan. GURKE'S primary mission is to operate with Strike Forces, Hunter!KllIer Groups, in support of amphibious assault operations and screen support forces and convoys against submarine, air and surface threats. GURKE is authorized a crew of 15 officers and 283 enlisted per- sonnel. CONTENTS Hisronv ................. 2-3 1 oPEnArioNs a Acrivmes . . . 4-5 oEolcATioN .............. 6-7 NAMESAKE ............ . . . . . a COMMANDING OFFICER ..... 9-10 EXECUTIVE OFFICER .......... ll f :QM-A K-ON-G . . if

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HI TGRY OF USS GURKE KDD-7835 Named for Congressional Medal of Honor winner PFC HENRY GURKE, USMC, of Neche, North Dakota who was killed in action on Bougan- ville Island in November of 1943. 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 and anti-submarine weapons. During the invasion of lnchon 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 1 V I , 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 dur- ing 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 QFRAMJ 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.