You did well, brother.
Semper Fi.
The President of the United States
takes pleasure in presenting, in the name of the Congress,
The Medal of Honor
to
Alfredo Gonzalez
Sergeant
United States Marine Corps
Rank and organization:
Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps
Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division
Place and date:
Near Thua Thien, Republic of Vietnam, 4 February 1968
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as platoon commander, 3d Platoon, Company A. On 31 January 1968, during the initial phase of Operation Hue City, SGT Gonzalez' unit was formed as a reaction force and deployed to Hue to relieve the pressure on the beleaguered city. While moving by truck convoy along Route No. 1, near the village of Lang Van Lrong, the Marines received a heavy volume of enemy fire. SGT Gonzalez aggressively maneuvered the Marines in his platoon, and directed their fire until the area was cleared of snipers. Immediately after crossing a river south of Hue, the column was again hit by intense enemy fire. One of the Marines on top of a tank was wounded and fell to the ground in an exposed position. With complete disregard for his safety, SGT Gonzalez ran through the fire-swept area to the assistance of his injured comrade. He lifted him up and though receiving fragmentation wounds during the rescue, he carried the wounded Marine to a covered position for treatment. Due to the increased volume and accuracy of enemy fire from a fortified machinegun bunker on the side of the road, the company was temporarily halted. Realizing the gravity of the situation, SGT Gonzalez exposed himself to the enemy fire and moved his platoon along the east side of a bordering rice paddy to a dike directly across from the bunker. Though fully aware of the danger involved, he moved to the fire-swept road and destroyed the hostile position with hand grenades. Although seriously wounded again on 3 February, he steadfastly refused medical treatment and continued to supervise his men and lead the attack. On 4 February, the enemy had again pinned the company down, inflicting heavy casualties with automatic weapons and rocket fire. SGT Gonzalez, utilizing a number of light antitank assault weapons, fearlessly moved from position to position firing numerous rounds at the heavily fortified enemy emplacements. He successfully knocked out a rocket position and suppressed much of the enemy fire before falling mortally wounded. The heroism, courage, and dynamic leadership displayed by SGT Gonzalez reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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VIRTUAL WALL NOTES
Sergeant Alfredo Gonzalez was serving his second tour in Vietnam.
His first tour ended in February 1967.
He returned to Vietnam in July 1967.
In Edinburg, there is a street named after Freddy Gonzalez,
and an elementary school.
He is buried in Edinburg's Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery.
On October 12, 1996,
his mother, Mrs. Dolia Gonzalez,
sponsored the
USS GONZALEZ (DDG-66),
commissioned at Corpus Christi.
Additional information is available on
Mishalov's Medal of Honor site
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