USS Gonzales DDG 66 / Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzales / Arleigh Burke class Guided Missile Destroyer – US Navy
s e a f o r c e s – online
Naval Forces Technology, History & Information

 

Guided Missile Destroyer

DDG 66   -   USS Gonzalez

USS Gonzales (DDG 66)

US Navy photo

Type, Class:

 

Guided Missile Destroyer; Arleigh Burke – class / Flight I;

planned and built as DDG 66;

Builder:

 

Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, USA

STATUS:

 

Awarded: January 16, 1991;

Laid down: February 3, 1994;

Launched: December 12, 1994;

Commissioned: October 12, 1996;

ACTIVE UNIT/ in commission (Atlantic Fleet)

Homeport:

 

Norfolk, Virginia, USA

Namesake:

 

Named after and in honor of Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez (1946 – 1968);

> see history, below;

Ship's Motto:

 

> BEYOND THE CALL <

Technical Data:

(Measures, Propulsion,

Armament, Aviation, etc.)

 

see: INFO > Guided Missile Destroyer / Arleigh Burke - class.

 

Pictures, photos & more ...

 

Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez

 

Photo credits: US Navy, US Naval Historical Center,

 

Namesake & History:

Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez (May 23, 1946 – February 4, 1968);

 

Alfredo "Freddy" Cantu Gonzalez was born May 23, 1946, in Edinburg, Texas. He graduated from Lamar Grammar School in 1955, and from Edinburg High School in 1965.

 

Enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at San Antonio, Texas, June 3, 1965, he completed Recruit Training with 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Dept, San Diego, California, the following September, and Individual Combat Training 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry training regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, that October.

 

After completing Individual Combat Training, he became a rifleman with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF, and served in that capacity until January 1966. He next saw a one year Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division (Rein), FMF. He was promoted to Private First Class, January 1, 1966; to Lance Corporal, October 1, 1966, and to Corporal, December 1, 1966.

 

Upon his return to the United States in February 1967, he reported for duty as a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California, for transfer to the Far East.

 

On July 1, 1967, he was promoted to Sergeant, and later that month, arrived in the Republic of Vietnam. He served as Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant with 3rd Platoon Company "A", 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF.

 

While participating in the initial phase of Operation HUE CITY in the vicinity of Thua Thien, Vietnam, on February 4, 1968, Sergeant Gonzalez was mortally wounded from hostile rocket fire.

 

A complete list of medals and decorations include: the Congressional Medal of Honor; the Purple Heart; the Presidential Unit Citation; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars; the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm; the Military Merit Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

 

Sergeant Gonzalez is survived by his mother, Mrs. Dolia Gonzalez and his grandmother, Mrs. Herminia Gonzalez.

 

 

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, Third Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, in the Republic of Vietnam.  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 #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 own 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 United States Naval Service.  He gallantly gave his life for his country.

 

USS Gonzalez (DDG 66):

 

On November 11, 1996 while on post commissioning shakedown, Gonzalez ran aground off Puerto Rico causing extensive damage. Gonzalez was towed back to Bath Iron Works for repair. Estimated damage was $50-60 Million and 9-12 months for repair. Gonzalez returned to service in September 1997, Repair costs were $10 million.

 

The warship took part in Operation Allied Force, firing Tomahawk cruise missiles at Serbian targets in 1999. She also assisted a cruise ship, Seabourn Spirit, after an abortive attack by pirates off the coast of Somalia in 2005.

On March 1, 2006, she rescued the crew of an Iranian ship, whose engine and rudder were broken down since February 18. The Iranian crew were rendered to Iran.

On March 18, 2006, she was involved in a second incident with suspected pirates, along with the USS Cape St. George. The two U.S. warships exchanged fire with the suspected pirates about 25 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. Initial reports indicated that one suspected pirate was killed and five others wounded.

On July 17, 2006, CNN reported that Gonzalez would be deployed to help in evacuation efforts of American citizens from Lebanon in the midst of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict. On July 26, 2006, Frank James of The Chicago Tribune reported on the evacuation efforts of the Gonzalez.

 

… more DDG 66 history wanted …

 

… and patches …

 

 

 

 

>> seaforces.org