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. 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. ln November of 1971, GURKE participated in sea of Japan Operations for which she was award- ed 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 Cam- paign, and on 1 April 1972 she began a series of Naval Gunfire missions in support of troops in Viet- nam during the North Vietnamese offensive. Dur- ing both of these operations, GURKE received very high praise and numberous commendations for her actions. - 71 :nil-i'1nf,.f ' 4 -4 .2 -i,, . ' ,F-f ' f,Li,., . bv -. 54'-bk. ' lf- '.'1 ' X W' -rhflfffr H 'F 7754- missing. L A ,X-.Aa..u. sf V' ii' -rr. --4, :T-15-1 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 and the Meritorious Unit Citation 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. From August 1972 to November 1972, GURKE again underwent a major overhaul, receiving the latest in modern weapons, and electronic detection equipment.

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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.

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OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES JANUARY 73 APRIL 74 New Years Day 1973 found USS GURKE QDD 783i in a holiday standdownfupkeep period in Yokosuka Japan On 15 January GURKE set sail with DESRON 15 for the Gulf of Tonkin On the trip down GURKE received the joyous news that the President had signed a peace treaty with North Viet nam After 10 days in Sublc Bay R P for emergency repairs GURKE sailed for Bangkok Thailand Follow ing an enchanting 5 days in the capital city of Thailand the GURKE set sail once again this time to Singapore and 5 more days of fascinating liberty On 17 February GURKE got underway for the transit to the Gulf of Tonkin eagerly looking forward to any assign ment that might be given her But first GURKE follow ed the time worn tradition of crossing the equator after leaving Singapore and more than 150 slimy polywogs were duly initiated into the order of the trus ty shellbacks For 9 days GURKE conducted special operations in the Gulf of Tonkln including PIRAZ and iDLG 33l and USS REEVES QDLG 241 and plane guard duties with USS CONSTELLATION QCVA 645 During this period GURKE received word that she had been awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for her contribution to the war effort in Southeast Asia during the period 10 December to 30 August 1972 ln early March GURKE turned toward home and an up keep period in Yokosuka The 20th of March was a proud day for a proud ship On that day RADM Woods Commander Cruiser Destroyer Force Pacific Fleet presented GURKE with her Meritorious Unit Citation and CDR Holland with a Bronze Star for his service in South Vietnam during 1972 After completing her upkeep GURKE set sail on 26 March for Okinawa to par ticipate in the amphibious exercise Golden Dragon with CAPT G S GROVE COMDESRON 13 em barked After rendezvousing in Okinawa the task force headed for the coast of the republic of Korea During the transit GURKE served as the screen com manders flagship earning the following praise from CAPT GROVE Appreciated your highly professional performance as flagship At sea evolutlons were handled smartly support of the flag was ac complished in the finest fashion Hope to serve with you again GURKE took time off on 5 April to participate in the graduation ceremonies the Korean Naval Academy at Chinhae Korea After completion of Golden Dragon GURKE spent three days in Pusan, Korea before transiting to Sasebo Japan for a two day availability Departing Sasebo on the 14th GURKE sailed for Hong Kong BC.C. and a long awaited visit Arriving on the 17th GURKE spent seven days in the captivating British Crown Colony before heading for home in late April. On 28 April GURKE began her READIMP up- keep period to be broken only by a short excursion to Shimoda Japan for the Black Ship Festival. GURKE and USS BAUSELL iDD845l attended the Festival in beautiful Shimoda from 16 to 18 May commemorating Commodore Perry s visit to Japan During this period the crew participated in a parade sporting events and crew brought this well done from COMDESRON 15, The smartness in appearance with the outstanding decorum of the crews can be described in no other way than superb GURKE then returned to Yokosuka to continue her READIMP upkeep period completing it on 24 July Getting underway on the following day, GURKE participated in a joint JMSDFXUSN midshipmen ex- change cruise with USS PARSONS QDDG 33l and USS COOK KDE 1083i for the next six days allowing the midshipmen to see how both navies operate in an at sea environment During the exchange cruise GURKE visited Eta Jima Kure and Sasebo, Japan. On the first of August GURKE sailed for Chinhae, Korea with COMDESRON 15 embarked to par- ticipate in the ASW exercise TAE KWON DO I with several units of the navies of the U.S. and the Republic of Korea After completion of the exercise GURKE and COOK pulled into Chinhae for four days of liberty. While there the crews of both ships were treated to a visit by Miss America 1973 Miss Terry Ann Newhause and seven members of her court On the 14th of August GURKE departed for Subic Bay, R.P. in order 7 7 North SAR mutual support ship duties with USS FOX fireworks displays. The attitude ,and behavior of the