USS Gurke Ships Log
981 entries as of 15 February 2012 
Date: 15 February 2012
Name: Gordon L Reynolds
Spouse: LV
Email: greynolds20@cox.net
Address: 4144 W Libby Street
City: Glendale
State: AZ
Zipcode: 85308
Homephone: 602-843-2120
Years aboard Gurke-from: 1957
Years aboard Gurke-to: 1960
Rank/Rate: MM3
Divison: M
Comments: Would like to say I think this is a great web site about the USS Gurke and proud to say I served aboard. However, I do not find anyone I served with that I remember. Of course it has been 45 years and we all know what time does to the memory. If anyone remembers me, say HI.
Date: 25 January 2012
Name: Richard E. Cheney
Email: sofast450@yahoo.com
Address: 41/2 & Ira II
City: Petersburg
State: Alaska
Zipcode: 99833
Homephone: 907-518-0659
Years aboard Gurke-from: 1972
Years aboard Gurke-to: 1974
Rank/Rate: E4
Divison: B
Date: 18 January 2012
Name: James Shoemaker
Spouse: none
Email: jshoe6952@yahoo.com
Address: 2510 Lower Lake Rd
City: Seneca Falls
State: Ny
Zipcode: 13148
Homephone: none
Years aboard Gurke-from: 1973
Years aboard Gurke-to: 1975
Rank/Rate: MM3
Divison: M
Date: 17 January 2012
Name: Louis E. Froelich (Frog)
Spouse: Deborah
Email: 3220louis@comcast.net
Address: 1085 Robertson Rd
City: Gallatin
State: TENN
Zipcode: 37066
Homephone: 615-452-2014
Years aboard Gurke-from: 1965
Years aboard Gurke-to: 1969
Rank/Rate: MM-3
Divison: M
Comments: We had a lot of fun and a lot of sad times, but we knew a lot of good men and drank a lot of good beer.
Date: 12 January 2012
Name: Phillip S. Vincelett, jr.
Spouse: Carol
Email: CarolVincelett@gmail.com
Address: 2954 sage view dr.
City: Alpine
State: CA
Zipcode: 91901
Homephone: 619-445-5016
Years aboard Gurke-from: 1968
Years aboard Gurke-to: 1971
Rank/Rate: E-3
Divison: Weapons
Comments: Enjoyed and miss my shipmates. Has anyone seen/heard from Mike Gillis, Ken Muery,supply(sorry about spelling), Nigerbond?
Date: 24 December 2011
Name: John Stewart
Spouse: ?
Email: Jstewart@mac.com
City: Lakeside
State: CA
Zipcode: 92040
Homephone: 619-390-8747
Years aboard Gurke-from: 1971
Years aboard Gurke-to: 1974
Rank/Rate: EW1
Divison: OE
Date: 02 December 2011
Name: Carl Robert Krohn (Deceased)
Spouse: Ruby Krohn
Email: ctoensing@gmail.com
City: Boulder City
State: NV
Years aboard Gurke-from: 1947
Years aboard Gurke-to: 1948
Division: FC-3
Comments: On 12/1/2011, Carl passed away. He is survived by his wife Ruby, daughter Kim and grandchildren, Chris and Megan. He was a 33rd Degree Mason, Past Master of the Old West Lodge, F and AM, Newhall, California. He will be greatly missed.
Date: 17 November 2011
Name: John F Emanuelson
Spouse: Mary
Email: mlccarlson@yahoo.com
Address: 334 Cherry St.
City: Negaune
State: Mi
Zipcode: 49866
Homephone: 9064756220
Years aboard Gurke-from: 1968
Years aboard Gurke-to: 1970
Rank/Rate:SN
Divison: BM
Date: 10 November 2011
Name: Grandville W. Sprayberry Jr
Email: gwsprayberry@charter.net
Address: 5425 Urbanview St.
City: Fort Worth
State: Texas
Zipcode: 76114
Homephone: 817-625-9223
Years aboard Gurke-from: 1965
Years aboard Gurke-to: 1967
Rank/Rate:RM3
Comments: A lot of growing up went on during this time.I remember the PT Boats and putting the Vietnam survivors on the mess deck above our compatrment.
Date: 19 October 2011
Name: Sam C Lyckholm
Email:res1vixp@verizon.net
Address: 469 Shady Dell
City: Crestline
State: CA
Zipcode: 92325
Homephone: 9093385863
Years aboard Gurke-from: 1966
Years aboard Gurke-to: 1969
Rank/Rate:BM3
Divison:Deck
Comments: Caught the Gurke on Yankee Station out of FLTTRACEN San Diego. Spent 3 yrs. Spent last year NAVSUPPACT Danang as BM3 on YFU55 hauling cargo in I Corps. Those four years contain some of the greatest [growing up] memories and memories in general of my life. Feel free to contact me at res1vixp @ verison.net.
Date: 09 October 2011
Name: James H Kelly
Spouse: Margot
Email:jkelly5329@aol.com
City:Naples
State: FL
Zipcode: 34112
Homephone: 239-774-4973
Years aboard Gurke-from: 5/57
Years aboard Gurke-to: 12/5
Rank/Rate:fireman
Divison:A-gang
Comments: Helped me grow up!
Date: 08 October 2011
Name: Karla Gurke Johnson
Spouse: Harold Johnson
Email: k_flying04@yahoo.com
Address: 1805 1ST AVE E
City:WILLISTON
State: North Dakota
Zipcode: 58801-3501
Homephone: 701-572-6200
Years aboard Gurke:n/a
Rank/Rate:n/a
Divison:n/a
Comments: Henry Gurke was my uncle. I used to get the mail version of your newsletter, but am thinking it is now sent via email. I hope I can attend the reunion you are planning in 2012 in Minneapolis. I just found an old photo of my grandparents celebrating thier 60th wedding anniversary, where they opened the extra bottle of wine received during the commissioning of the Gurke. Let me know if that would be of interest for the family photos page.
Date25 September 2011
Name:Thomas
Email: thomaslduey@cox.net
Address:4147 E. Clarendon Ave
City: Phoenix
State: AZ
Zipcode:85018
Homephone: 602-761-0100
Years aboard Gurke:1971-1973
Rank/Rate: fn
Divison:m
Comments?:the days young men learned to become men. Wounderful ship. Wounderful men. Feel free to contact me.
Date:1 September 2011
Name: Dan R. Burnett
Spouse: Gwendolyn
Email: drburnett@verizon.net
Address: 7621 Avenue E 1/2
City: Santa Fe
State: Texas
Zipcode:77510
Homephone: 409-925-8821
Years aboard Gurke:1967-1968
Rank/Rate: MR3
Divison: R
Comments?: If anyone remembers me send me an email, sure would like to hear from some of the guys I served with.
Date:11 August 2011
Name: Jerrold L Semmons (Deceased)
Email:krys1959@gmail.com
Where are you from?:Cottonwood, AZ
Years aboard Gurke:1945-1946
S1c(FCO), V6 USNR
Comments?: My father, Jerrold L Semmons, died 03 Feb 2008, but was in contact with some of his old shipmates. I would love to hear from any one of his crew.
Krystal Semmons
Date:4 August 2011
Name: Huite
Email: hcarter@viamediatv.com
Where are you from?: Springboro, OH
Years aboard Gurke:1973-1975
EM3
Comments?:
Date:3 August 2011
Name:Billy Gilliam
Email:beg1926@aol.com
Where are you from?:Mountain View, CA.
Years aboard Gurke:1944-1946
SEAMAN First Class
Comments?:
Date: 2 August 2011
Name:Joseph J. Beaudine
Email:joebeau@frontie.com
Where are you from?:Rosemont, Minnesota
Years aboard Gurke:1973-1976
Comments?: This is an update to my old information when I lived in Minneapolis I am now completely retired and am 69 years old. I sure wish I could find Charlie Andrews. I called Columbia CT and they had only one Andrews living there and it was the wrong one. I loved all of you guys on the Gurke and I was the only one on there from North Dakota. I still email Stauner CM4 and Tasassas SKe who live in Washington.
Date: 20 July 2011
Name:Steven Gruett
Email:srgruett@gmail.com
Where are you from?:Minneapolis, Minnesota
Years aboard Gurke:1971-1975
Comments?:
Date: 28 June 2011
Name:John T. Grzyb jr.
Email: johnsandycapac@yahoo.com
Where are you from?: Capac, Michigan
Years aboard Gurke:6/70-9/71
Comments: ?
Date: 27 February 2008
Name: Roger Bowman
Email: rbowman@eaglecu.org
Where are you from?: IRVIN, CA
Years aboard Gurke:RM3 OC 65-67
Date: 26 June 2007
Name: Steve Nigherbon
Email: steve@von.com
Where are you from?: Nampa, ID
Years aboard Gurke: 1968-1961
Comments: I was doing a geneology search and came across my name in the log. I recognized a few names and decided to log in. A great time in my life. Definatly a learning experience. Does anyone remember returning from Westpac and dealing with " The Gurke Ghost"? Great site.
Date: 1 June 2007
Name: Jim Lewis
Email: jimandsarie@gmail.com.
Where are you from?: 103/ 7 Bay Drive, Pialba Qld.4655, Austrailia
Years aboard Gurke: 1961-1962
Comments: I enjoyed my time on the old Gurke, and would like to hear from any of the ET gang or any other sailor aboard whom might have known me. I made ET-2 prior to being discharged. I now live in Australia, and love it.
Date: 21 May 2007
Name: Joseph W Pike
Email: joesrotors@hotmail.com
Where are you from?: Victorville, CA
Years aboard Gurke: 1967-1969
MR3 RDIV
Comments:
Date: 1 May 2007
Name: Kerry Hansen
Email: rodesigner@aol.comrodesigner.com
Where are you from?: Bremerton, WA
Years aboard Gurke: 1958-1959
FT3 FOX Division
Comments: First cruise
Date: 1 May 2007
Name: Samuel E Gordon
Email: jbjohn5@comcast.net
Where are you from?: Stockton, CA
Years aboard Gurke: 1945-1946
S2c Shops Service
Comments:
Date: 28 April 2007
Name:Michael Krasnow
Email: jbjohn5@comcast.net
Where are you from?: Oklahoma City, OK
Years aboard Gurke: 1958-1960
RM3 OC
Comments:
Date: 23 April 2007
Name:John B. Johnson
Email: jbjohn5@comcast.net
Where are you from?: Spokane Valley, WA
Years aboard Gurke: 1970-1973
E-5 BT2 B-Oil King 1971-1973
Comments:
Date: 15 April 2007
Name:William Dooley
Email: jbcom5@verizon.net
Where are you from?: Maynard, MA, LA
Years aboard Gurke: 1969-1969
Comments: I enjoyed my time on the Gurke. The westpac trip was every educational, traveling to all the different countries.
Date: 10 April 2007
Name:Lonnie DuFour
Email: jerseygirl18@earthlink.net
Where are you from?: Marksville, LA
Years aboard Gurke: 1975-1976
QM3 NAVIGATION
Comments: RETIRED IN 1993 AS QMCM(SW) MARRIED TO CHARLENE IN 1978. HAVE ONE DAUGHTER CRYSTAL BORN IN 1983 AND IS NOW A REGISTERED NURSE.
Date: 10 April 2007
Name:Vern Brown cscss Retired
Email: jerseygirl18@earthlink.net
Where are you from?: Tillamook , OR
Years aboard Gurke: 1954-1957
Comments:
Date: 6 April 2007
Name:Bob Bledsoe
Email: bvbledsoe@cox.net
Where are you from?: Portsmouth, RI
Years aboard Gurke: 1965-1967
Comments: Lt. Engineering
Date: 6 April 2007
Name:Amado
Email: Amadpar9823@cox.net
Where are you from?: San Diego, CA
Years aboard Gurke: 1955-1958
Comments: I joined the US Navy on June 29 1954 at Sangley point, Cavite, Phil We were about 100 recruit ferried on board USNS Gen. sultan destination to San Francisco, 17 days travel with high seas all the way. Most of the passengers are military and dependents. From San Francisco to San Diego Boot camp with six month regid training.I went to Class A school at RTC Great Lakes for three months as Steward. Upon graduation I was lucky to choose my duty station on board USS GURKE DD783 at west coast while he was dry dock Vallejo, Ca in Jan 1955. Its almost 4 long years on board with every 6 months deployments. Make 2 trips to Sydney, Australia In 1958 with the help of CDR Rosenberg the skiper authorized me to change my rating to SN and I was advance to DK3 and was transfer to US Naval Magazine Subic. Phil. I have lots of memory during my stay on Board USS GURKE DD 783.
Date: 29 March 2007
Name:George B Kaspar
Email: gbk1937@yahoo.com
Where are you from?: Milaca, MN
Years aboard Gurke: 1958-1060
Comments: None
Date: 29 March 2007
Name:Kerry Hanson
Email: kerrymills@allstate.com
Where are you from?: Fort Wayne, IN
Years aboard Gurke: 3 years
Comments: This was my first ship and I had a great time. Remember Dave Montgomerty, Jim Moran, Tommy Romero, Gil Vasquez, Duane Schuetze and many others. Would love to hear from them or others that I might not remember the names right now.
Date: 6 April 2007
Name:Jerry R. Johnson
Email: jerryjohnson3@charter.net
Where are you from?: Middletown, NJ
Years aboard Gurke: 1971-1974
Comments:
Date: 6 April 2007
Name:Barry T Gnecco
Email: LINDAGNECCO@OPTONLINE.NET
Where are you from?: Norwood, NJ
Years aboard Gurke: 1965-1967
Comments: FTG3 WG
Date: 29 March 2007
Name:Donald E Davison
Email: sdbeetle@aol.com
Where are you from?: Fort Wayne, IN
Years aboard Gurke: 3 years
Comments: None
Date: 25 March 2007
Name:Alex Myrill
Email: ahmyrill@aol.com
Where are you from?: East Stroudsburg, PA
Years aboard Gurke: 1971-1972
Comments: This is a great website. My friend and also former shipmate EN2 Perry found this site and told me about it. Looking through the site I did recognize some names of former shipmates and I would be thrilled to here from them. God bless all of us who served aboard the GURKE! IC2, E DIV
Date: March 8, 2007
Name: Michael S. Jaskulski
Email: mgob153@yahoo.com
Where are you from?: Ludington, MI
Years aboard Gurke: 1972-1973
Comments: Great site, ship, & crew. HT3 R DIV
Date: February 17, 2007
Name: Larry J. Perry, Sr.
Email: Brandino@prodigy.net
Where are you from?: Vallejo, CA
Years aboard Gurke: 1971-1974
Comments: Comments: Found this site by accident and was amazed at what I see, This is Great! After reading I can remember the trip from San Diego to Yokosuka Japan. The comments made by George Cooper was right on the money, Good to see you Sir. I can get that Salt out of my system, I enjoy fishing on my own boat and love telling my Sons about the good times on the "Gurke". Outstanding job done on this web-site. God Bless you all.
Date: February 17, 2007
Name: Robert A. Short (Bob)
Email: shrtdog99@sbcglobal.net
Where are you from?: Monterey Park, CA
Years aboard Gurke: 1962-1966
Comments: LOOKING AT THIS PAGE REALLY BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES. Wondering the where abouts of James Flood, Gary McDonough, Teddy Roche, Charles Gower, or any other buddies I had aboard ship. Using my son's e-mail address but feel free to contact me...Thanks
Date: February 16, 2007
Name: Jim Botonis
Email: jbotonis@earthlink.net
Where are you from?: Pueblo West, CO
Years aboard Gurke: 1968-1969
Comments: Hope to see old shipmates at the reunion 2007. I have a few old photos to share.
Date: 14 February 2007
Name: Larry Larkins
Email: larrylarkins@bellsouth.net
Where are you from?: Goose Creek, SC
Years aboard Gurke: 1959-1962
Comments: A great website.The Gurke was my 1ST ship coming out of 'A' school and I picked her up in Frisco where she was in drydock. The ship was a punishment for turning down sub school (right).Thirty years later and numerous ships the Gurke was the class of them all. When I have a sea story its usually about my shipmates from the Gurke and some of the incidents, like the Easter egg hunt on the way back from WestPac, firing a Mk15 Torpedo at an abandon guana ship or finding a monkey with a noose around his neck being towed by 21 thread that the TMs used to drag swabs after morning watch.I bet the Greeks even found easter eggs during heavy seas.I'm going to pass this website to my neighbor Charles Decker TMSN aboard Gurke now retired LCDR. Remember that old saying about being kind to your juniors ??
Date: 13 February 2007
Name: Bill Helman
Email: helmanbill@yahoo.com
Where are you from?: Columbus, Ohio
Years aboard Gurke: 1959-1962
Comments: I spent almost 3 years of a good time on the Gurke with some long lost good frends We did CHRISTMAS ISLAND, AUSTRALIA, CHINA AND JAPAN. CAPTAIN KIPE WAS good comander and a fair one, as I well know due to a missed ship's movement escapade by me and a few of my ship mates. I look forward to hearing from anyone from the past.
Date: January 29, 2007
Name: James H. Tucker
Email: dbowling@consolidated.net
Where are you from?: Livingston, TX
Years aboard Gurke: 1955-1957
Comments: 2nd Division
Date: 27 January 2007
Name: Edward Elmore Tripp
Email: edwardetripp@bellsouth.net
Where are you from?: Acworth, GA
Years aboard Gurke: 1960-1964
Comments: I was a Boatsman, then kept records of ordering food and the use.
Date: 16 January 2007
Name:Jim Murry
Email: bjmurry@hughes.net
Where are you from?: Marshall, TX
Years aboard Gurke: 1971-1973
Comments: Hopefully He'll see us in Colorado Springs
Date: 17 December 2006
Name:Robert Waugh
Email: bobjan123@adelphia.com
Where are you from?: Centralia, WA
Years aboard Gurke: 1950-1953
Comments: I don't think we will make the 2007 reunion do to illness. This is my first try on a computer. I did find the
webpage and looked at all the mames of shipmates what a good feeling just seeing them. I'll keep
looking. RE Waugh BTC retired.
Date: 17 November 2006
Name:Erold Sanger
Email: None
Where are you from?:Alda NE
Years aboard Gurke:1968 - 1969
Comments: MM2 During the West Pac Cruise 1969. Spent 10 years in tne Navy and got out Dec. 1969.
Date: 13 November 2006
Name:Crague H. Emerson
Email: hidalgo1933@sbcglobal.net
Where are you from?: Livermore 3868, East Ave CA 94550
Years aboard Gurke: 1952 to 1956
Comments: I have already signed into the ships log years ago, but I
am changing my web address from
hidalgo1933@aol.com to hidalgo1933@sbcglobal.net I am doing fine. Still working
full time as a
Registered Nurse. On board the Gurke, I finished as SO2. I married again to a
much younger woman
and we have three daughters, aged 11, 13, and 17. I would welcome any
communication from other
crew members. I am going to try to make the reunion this year. Your shipmate:
Crague Enerson SO2
Date: 11 November 2006
Name:Tony Gomez
Email: TONY_MAR_GOMEZ@MSN.COM
Where are you from?: Douglas, AZ
Years aboard Gurke: None
Comments: Served on board the U Just surfing into your log entry..Served on Board the USS Helena CA75 from
Sep59 to Jun 62..All my tour of duty was in the Personnel Office (PN3)..Might have reenlisted or
separated some shipmates that were on board during the above dates..Made alot of friends on
board..sure would like to hear from the Old Shipmates..some might have been transferred to the
Gurke or might just be reading this entry and remember this Shellback....Great Website on the
Gurke..have a nice reunion..Smooth Sailing...Tony Gomez
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