Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez

Alfredo Cantu "Freddy" Gonzalez was a United States Marine Corps Sergeant who served with distinction during the Vietnam War. Born in Edinburg, Texas, Gonzalez enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965. He completed a tour of duty in Vietnam as a rifleman and fire team leader before returning to the United States. In May 1967, he returned to Vietnam for a second tour as a squad leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division.

During the Battle of Huế in January and February 1968, Sergeant Gonzalez displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. Over several days of intense combat, he repeatedly risked his life to rescue wounded Marines, destroy enemy fortifications, and direct his platoon's fire. Despite being seriously wounded himself, he refused medical evacuation and continued to lead his men, eventually being mortally wounded while successfully neutralizing an enemy rocket position.

For his extraordinary heroism and selflessness during the battle, Sergeant Gonzalez was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration for valor. His legacy is honored by the United States Navy through the naming of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG-66), as well as numerous memorials and schools named in his honor in his home state of Texas.