Date: 29 May 2000
Name: Andrea R. Gurke Scott
Email: Andiscottinid@yahoo.com
Where are you from?: Spokane, WA
Years aboard Gurke:
Comments: My Uncle Henry was the person the ship was named after. He was my father's younger brother and stood up with my parents when they were married. I had the opportunity to visit the USS Gurke while it was in port in San Diego, CA.

Date: 28 May 2000
Name: Leonard D. (Dale) Brawner
Email: mrlucy@flash.net
Where are you from?: Fort Worth, TX
Years aboard Gurke:
Comments: Enjoyed very much the Memorial Picnic held at the old Carswell AFB location on 27 May, 2000. Very sorry to have to leave early.

Date: 26 May 2000
Name: Brianna Hooker
Email: No email
Where are you from?: Portland, OR
Years aboard Gurke:
Comments: The USS Gurke is named after my great-uncle.

Date: 23 May 2000
Name: Don R. Guerin
Email: No Email
Where are you from?: PLAQUEMINE, LA
Years aboard Gurke: 1970-1973
Comments: WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES. SHE`S A GREAT SHIP AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET HER BACK NO IF`S AN`S OR BUT`S.

Date: 19 May 2000
Name: Connie Galton
Email: maggie4198@aol.com
Where are you from?: Salt Lake City, UT
Years aboard Gurke:
Comments: I am looking for information about John Joseph Reagan who served on the USS Gurke when it was in San Francisco about 1945, he was a friend of my family. I think he was from New Jersey.

Date: 17 May 2000
Name: Thomas L. Ramsay
Email: nmwi02@yahoo.com
Where are you from?: Roswell, NM
Years aboard Gurke: 1960
Comments: We were in transit on the Gurke headed for our duty ship in Yokosuka Japan, the USS Jupiter AVS8. There were seven of us just out of boot camp. We boarded the Gurke in early 1960 in San Diego CA. All of us were seaman apprentices. I will try to remember the names, Thomas L. Ramsay, Raymond H. Miller, Charles Pratt, Nick Petruskin, Fred Cannahan, Mike Martinez, and Massingham. Thanks for the great site.

Date: 15 May 2000
Name: Neil Johnson
Email: horizon@sedona.net
Where are you from?: Sedona, AZ
Years aboard Gurke: 1971-1972
Comments: MM3, Main Control

Date: 13 May 2000
Name: Alex Bross
Email: squritle007@go.com
Where are you from?: Southfield, MI
Years aboard Gurke:
Comments: Dear Mr. Tom Cheatum, my Grandpa, Bill Bross YNT3 was aboard the USS Gurke from February to May 1956 and was discharged. I am Alex and am 12 years of age. I really enjoyed being piped abord the USS Gurke. Thanks for the opportunity to be apart of the Gurke log. Alex Bross

Date: 13 May 2000
Name: Mike Elliott
Email: auwinger1200@yahoo.com
Where are you from?: Sacramento, CA
Years aboard Gurke: 68-70
Comments: Had a great time at the Tucson reunion! Enjoyed meeting you, Tom, and getting to visit with other crewmen from the Gurke! Looking forward to San Antonio already!! Keep up the good work on the site! I'm looking forward to the Book of Remberance when it comes out, and to the Ship's Store that you plan to add to the web page. 'Til later, smooth sailing, shipmates!!

Date: 8 May 2000
Name: Gary Weaver
Email: grweave@attglobal.net
Where are you from?: Morgan Hill, CA
Years aboard Gurke: 1964-1966
Comments: Assigned to U.S.S. Gurke beginning of 1964 following graduation from ETR School, Great Lakes, IL. Ship was in Bremerton, WA undergoing FRAM conversion to update ship for anti-submarine warfare (DASH Helicopter, ASROC, Advanced SONAR). Once completed, we moved ship to San Diego, Ca home port.

Went on initial West Pac cruise 1965. Was assigned Station Ship in Hong Kong and served on Shore Patrol for stay in Hong Kong (apx 30 days). Went to Subic Bay before going to sea for 78 consecutive days earning Navy Expeditionary Medal, later resulting in Viet Nam Medal.

While in Tonkin Gulf, we were assigned to Point Yankee to act as 'decoy' for remainder of Fleet some 60-75 miles south of us. We experienced our first and only real General Quarters while on that assignment. I remember the Captain's voive over the intercom following initial GQ Alarm (apx 2AM in the morning). His voice unshakenly said, "All men man your battle stations ... this is not a drill!" I don't believe I ever experienced to a man, everyone on station so quickly, and considering most of us were awakened from a sound sleep! I reported to CIC and remember seeing the enemy radar pips converging on us from 360 degrees. I don't recall the exact number of ships, but I believe it was between 6-8. The carrier was notifed of our situation and immediately dispatched the Phantoms. I can still hear them thundering overhead only minutes following the GQ Alarm ... what a welcome sound and sight to see the enemy radar contacts turn and begin to disperse off our radar screens. Following this West Pac we returned to San Diego.

The following year we headed for Hawaii on my 2nd West Pac. My 3-year enlistment (extended 1 year for Viet Nam crisis was in the final year. After our normal stop in Hawaii we continued west. On the way I was informed that my 1- year extension was being shortened to 6-months, so I was transported off the ship and sent to Atsugi Naval Air Station in Japan to await an air transport back to Treasure Island and my discharge in 1966 which included my agreement to sign up for Naval Reserve when I returned home, at that time in Farmington, Michigan (25 miles NW of Detroit). The Naval Reserve Station was in Pontiac, Michigan.

I hired into IBM July, 1966 where I've worked ever since. I was transfered to California in 1980 where I contine to live with my wife Suzanne, and 2 children, Lindsey 16, H.S. Junior, and Brent 14, 8th. Grade. I only became aware of this web page after my wife found it following an interview with my daughter for a school project. Take care and have a great Reunion in Arizona this year. I sure enjoyed 'our' U.S.S. Gurke Home Page. Thanks for inspiration and work putting it together.

Regards, Gary Weaver