Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez

Led his Marines through Hue and silenced enemy rocket attack

Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez (23 May 1946–4 February 1968), known as Alfredo "Freddy" Gonzalez, was a United States Marine Corps Sergeant (E-5) and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient who served two combat tours in the Vietnam War. Born in Edinburg, Texas, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve at San Antonio on 3 June 1965 and entered the Regular Marine Corps on 6 July. He completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in September and individual combat training at Camp Pendleton in October 1965.

He served as a rifleman with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, until January 1966. During his first Vietnam tour, in early 1966 to early 1967, he was a rifleman and squad leader with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He advanced through Private First Class, Lance Corporal and Corporal. Returning to the United States in early 1967, he served with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, and subsequently the 3rd Replacement Company, Staging Battalion, at Camp Pendleton.

Promoted to Sergeant on 1 July 1967, he returned to Vietnam in late July or August for his second tour with Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. He led 3rd Platoon in combat as an enlisted acting platoon leader. Official accounts differ on the precise month of his return.

During Operation Hue City, 31 January–4 February 1968, Gonzalez led his platoon through the relief convoy fighting on Route 1 toward Huế. On 31 January he directed counterfire against snipers, rescued a wounded Marine from exposed ground despite receiving fragmentation wounds, and destroyed a fortified machine-gun position with grenades. Seriously wounded again on 3 February, he refused treatment and continued leading the attack. On 4 February he used light anti-tank weapons to suppress fortified enemy positions and knock out a rocket position before he was mortally wounded. He was killed in action during the Battle of Huế, which continued beyond his death. These actions formed one continuous defining mission within one major battle.

His single federal Medal of Honor was presented posthumously to his mother, Dolia Gonzalez, on 31 October 1969. The guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) bears his name. In 2007 he received the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, a separate state honour.

Official Medal of Honor 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, Sergeant 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. Sergeant 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, Sergeant 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, Sergeant 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. Sergeant 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 Sergeant 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.