Date: 13 November 1997
Name: Elmer G. Slaughter
Where are you from?: New York, now living in Hartford, CT
Years aboard Gurke: 1963-1969
Comments: I served on the USS GURKE DD783 from 1963 (while she was going through FRAM) to 1969 (transferred to Electronics 'A' School). Came aboard as Radarman E3 and left as Radarman Second Class. Commanding Officer, Commander Joe Wilson also caught with me on the ship's ball team. Exectutive Officer, Lt. Commander Berringer was pitcher. At the time I was aboard our breakaway song was Batman blared on the 1MC and at night the bat signal was flashed from two signal lights. Now serving as Asst. Adjutant Officer of American Legion Post 142 in Hartford, CT.

Date: 4 November 1997
Name: Alan F. Martin
Where are you from?: Argos, Indiana
Years aboard Gurke: 1970-1972
Comments: I am planning on being at the 98 reunion. Hope to see you all in good health. Until then God Bless the Gurke and all who served on her.

Date: 22 October 1997
Name: Edward L. Whitmoyer
Where are you from?: Near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Years aboard Gurke: 1970-1974
Comments: Great job on the Gurke Home Page. I appreciate all the hard work Tom put into it. Since seeing this page I have been in contact with several shipmates, and look forward to hearing from more. I'll never forget steaming around the Pacific drag racing air-craft carriers, and stopping in all those great places like Hong Kong, Subic Bay and Australia (one night was hardly enough). I met lots of good people in the Navy, and regret not keeping in touch over the years. E-mail will solve that problem.

Date: 2 October 1997
Name: Buz Evans AKA Flash
Where are you from?: Southern, California
Years aboard Gurke: 1969-1972
Comments: I was a machinist mate and swapped to the Leonard F. Mason in 1972 to 1973. An exciting find. Anxious to hear from some of my old Buds. Anyone that remembers me please Email.

Date: 1 October 1997
Name: Robert Lee Larsen
Where are you from?: Alpena, Michigan
Years aboard Gurke: 1957-Aug 1959
Comments: Looking for any shipmates that were on the Gurke during 1957-Aug 1959. Please e-mail me at the above address or contact me at 107 Glenridge Alpnea, MI 49707. Also, would like to know the whereabouts of Paul Smitherman.

Date: 25 September 1997
Name: George Levens, EM-3
Where are you from?: Portland,Oregon
Years aboard Gurke: 1964 to 1967
Comments: I made two Wespac cruises to Vietnam during my tour aboard the Gurke. I won the mustache contest in 1966. The picture on the home page shows me just to the right of the person getting their mustache measured. I sure had a great time during those two tours, going places I will never see again.

Date: 17 September 1997
Name: Dan Hays
Homepage: Dan's Place on Golden Gate Canyon
Where are you from?: Blackhawk, Colorado 9000' above the ever lovin sea
Years aboard Gurke: 1971-1974
Comments: Great site, brought back a whole lot of memories. Where's all my old bud's, hope this'll hook us up.

Date: 13 September 1997
Name: Robert G. Casper
Where are you from?: Everett, Wash.
Years aboard Gurke: None
Comments: I was on the Helena CA-75

Date: 2 September 1997
Name: S.C."Smokey" Hightower
Where are you from?:
Years aboard Gurke: 1960 to 1964
Comments: We were at sea off San Diego when president Kennedy was assassinated..I was aboard Gurke when we had the Black Watch radioman playing the bagpipes whenever we left or entered port..I was onboard when we sank the bat guano ship and did nuclear bomb tests..I was a pollywog when we tied up Ens. Ware and left him over night in the dirty laundry bag amidships at the laundry..I was assigned to after engine room and repair 5 for GQ..It was a real surprise to see the old Gurke on the net..Keep up the good work..Fair winds and following sea's, shipmate...S.C."Smokey" Hightower...

Date: 16 August 1997
Name: Dan Lagerman
Where are you from?: Glendale, Wisconsin USA
Years aboard Gurke: None
Comments: Just stopped by to say hello. I served in the USNR during the mid-sixties and served aboard the USS William M. Wood (DD-715). I ended my enlistment as FTG-2. I am now a member of the Navy League of The United States.