Date: 6 February 2001
Name: John L. Niemann
Email: johnsusanj@aol.com
Where are you from?: Las Cruces, NM
Years aboard Gurke: 1974 - 1976
Comments: Was assigned to Gurke RMSA out of Yokosuka JA unaccompanied tour. Missed my wife while stationed overseas and was one of the few who really looked forward to going out to sea. (Even volunteered to go back out to sea on the USS Cook while Gurke was tied up in Yokosuka.) Lots of great memories, great places and great friends. Never made it to the equator...5 degrees north off of the Philippines, we had a "swim call" just before leaving for the SS Mayaquez and S. Vietnam for the evac. No time for dipping below for Shellback initiation. My good friend John Mayo RM3 always promised I'd be his "dog" if we made it below the equator...he'll never believe how paranoid that made me or what it took for me to get us involved in the Mayaquez incident. (John I'll bet Bill Ruhlman RM3 is looking for you too.) Best to you all.

Date: 6 Febraury 2001
Name: John W. Spanberger
Email: jwspan45@aol.com
Where are you from?: Leesburg, GA
Years aboard Gurke: 1964-1966
Comments: Served in Nam three cruises in 64-65-66. Sank three torpedo boats and took I can't remember the number of prisoners. Basically was shore bombing and pilot rescue. TM3 Ordinance Div.

Date: 5 February 2001
Name: Paul D Johnson
Email: stephaniej62@home.com
Where are you from?: Union, NJ
Years aboard Gurke: 1975-1976
Comments: I reported on board March 1975 till January 1976. Was asigned to M division.Aft engine room. Left while being decommisioned in San Deigo, California.Went ENA school later assigned to USS Blandy DD943 homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.

Date: 5 February 2001
Name: David K Pierson
Email: dpierson@mcsi.net
Where are you from?: Roseburg, OR
Years aboard Gurke: 1966-1967
Comments: I was a QMSN when I was Transfered to the USS Cogswell. QM3 Boyd and QM3 Hershfelt were in our division. Ens. Zere was our Division Officer. I left just prior to the 1967 West Pac Cruise.

Date: 28 January 2001
Name: HARLEY GOTHAM
Email: No Email
Where are you from?: Anchorage, AK
Years aboard Gurke: 1956-1959
Comments: BT

Date: 28 January 2001
Name: Mark G Smith
Email: ms-song@pacbell.net
Where are you from?: San Diego, CA
Years aboard Gurke: 1975-1976
Comments: This time in my life brings back good memories. I was sooo young! Barely 17 & in Yokusuka, Japan. All I remember is being off the coast of Viet-Nam during the evactuation. Swim call, & going to all the other countries like Subic Bay, Phillipines, Hong Kong, Pusan, Korea, Taipei, Taiwan. I've lost most of the pictures I took but still have them in my memory just can't remember anybody,s name...

Date: 27 January 2001
Name: Alan R. King RMCS, Ret
Email: aa7zi@ida.net
Where are you from?: Idaho Falls, ID
Years aboard Gurke:
Comments: Former shipmate of a former Commanding Officer, CDR Joe L. Holland

Date: 25 January 2001
Name: Fredette Jr. Robert J.
Email: dblfoxbase@aol.com
Where are you from?: Redding, CA
Years aboard Gurke: 1966-1968
Comments: Best seaborne experience any sailor could have was on the Gurke during that period of time. Real seamanship was learned aboard her. Compliment of officers and enlisted men were the best in the fleet. A lot of work with the ol girl, but a lot of good experience and a lot of excitement to. Good memories, good men, good friends.

Date: 23 January 2001
Name: Roger Chagnon
Email: chagnon@jbcny.org
Where are you from?: Westfield, NY
Years aboard Gurke:
Comments: Just surfed to your sight. Very nice! Served aboard USS Hanson DD832 from '69 to '73 as SM2.

Date: 17 January 2001
Name: Kenneth Paige
Email: mkpaige@aol.com
Where are you from?: Edmonds, WA
Years aboard Gurke: 1954-1958
Comments: I am maried with 3 children & 5 grand. Was a welder for 30 years, and then ran a charter boat for 13 years fishing for salmon in Puget Sound. I'm now retired & spending my time fishing, & gardening.