Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez
Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | "Freddy" |
Born | Edinburg, Texas, US | May 23, 1946
Died | February 4, 1968 Huế, South Vietnam | (aged 21)
Place of burial | Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery 26°11′02″N 98°05′10″W / 26.184°N 98.086°WEdinburg, Texas |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1965–1968 |
Rank | Sergeant |
Unit | 1st Reconnaissance Battalion 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines 1st Battalion, 1st Marines |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War • Battle of Huế † |
Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Alfredo Cantu "Freddy" Gonzalez (May 23, 1946 – February 4, 1968) was a United States Marine Corps Sergeant who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for service in the Battle of Huế during the Vietnam War.
Early years
Gonzalez, a
He enlisted in the
He then became a rifleman with Headquarters and Service Company,
He became an instructor at
During the initial phase of the Battle of Huế in late January 1968, Gonzalez and his unit were sent by truck convoy to reinforce units in the city. When the convoy came under fire near the village of Lang Van Lrong on January 31, he led his men in clearing the area. Further down the road, he received shrapnel wounds while carrying an injured man to safety. When the convoy was halted by a machine gun bunker, he led his platoon towards the position and destroyed it with hand grenades. Eventually reaching the city of Huế, his unit became engaged in heavy combat there. Gonzalez was seriously wounded on February 3, but refused medical treatment. The next day, when a large North Vietnamese force inflicted heavy casualties on his company, he used anti-tank weapons to fire on the fortified positions. He successfully checked the North Vietnamese advance and silenced a rocket emplacement before being mortally wounded by a rocket. He took cover in the Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, where he died.[2]
For his actions during the Battle of Huế from January 31 to February 4, 1968, Gonzalez was awarded the Medal of Honor. Vice President
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF.
Place and date: NearThua Thien, Republic of Vietnam, 4 February 1968.
Entered service at: San Antonio, Tex. Born: 23 May 1946, Edinburg Tex. 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 machine gun 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.[1]
Honors
The
The Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home in McAllen, Texas is named in his honor.[4]
Two biographies by former Edinburg resident John W. Flores; "When The River Dreams: The Life of Marine Sgt. Freddy Gonzalez," printed in fall 2006, and "Marine Sgt. Freddy Gonzalez: Vietnam War Hero," scheduled for release by McFarland Publishing Company, in fall 2013.
The Museum of South Texas History holds a permanent display containing Gonzalez's uniform and medals. At The Basic School in Stafford County, Virginia, where Marine Corps officers are trained, there is an Alfredo Gonzalez Hall.[2] In Edinburg, both an elementary school and a major east–west thoroughfare (Freddy Gonzalez Drive) are named in his honor.
Awards and decorations
Gonzalez's awards include:[3][5]
Medal of Honor | |||||||||||
Purple Heart with two Gold Stars | Combat Action Ribbon | Navy Presidential Unit Citation
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Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal | National Defense Service Medal | service stars
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Vietnam Military Merit Medal
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Bronze Star
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Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
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See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
- List of Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients
- Hispanics in the United States Marine Corps
References
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- ^ a b "Medal of Honor recipients - Vietnam (A-L)". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g Mink, Micheal (August 21, 2009). "The Mother of the USS Gonzalez". Digital Video & Imagery Distribution System. Retrieved 2009-08-23.
- ^ a b c d e "SERGEANT ALFREDO GONZALEZ, USMC (DECEASED)". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. United States Marine Corps History Division. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ^ Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home
- ^ "CSHCR 121 resolves that the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas posthumously confer the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor on Sergeant Alfredo "Freddy" Gonzalez in recognition of his heroic service and expresses to his family its deepest appreciation on behalf of all his fellow Texans". Archived from the original on 2012-03-25. Retrieved 2011-07-07.