Medal of Honor: Alfredo Gonzalez – U.S. Marine Corps – Vietnam – 1968

Name: Alfredo Gonzalez
Rank: Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
Unit: Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF
Place: Near Thừa Thiên, Republic of Vietnam (Battle of Huế)
Entered Service At: San Antonio, Texas
Born: 23 May 1946, Edinburg, Texas

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Summary of Action

During the opening days of Operation Hue City in late January and early February 1968, Sergeant Alfredo Gonzalez served as platoon commander of 3d Platoon, Company A, as his unit was rushed to Huế to relieve intense enemy pressure inside the city.

On 31 January 1968, while moving by truck convoy along Route 1 near Lang Van Lrong, the Marines came under heavy sniper fire. Sgt. Gonzalez immediately maneuvered his platoon and directed accurate return fire until the threat was eliminated.

Shortly thereafter, after crossing a river south of Huế, the column was again struck by intense enemy fire. A Marine riding atop a tank was wounded and thrown to the ground in an exposed position. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Sgt. Gonzalez ran through the fire-swept area, lifted the wounded Marine, and carried him to cover—sustaining fragmentation wounds in the process.

As the company advanced, it was halted by devastating fire from a fortified enemy machine-gun bunker along the roadway. Recognizing the danger to the entire unit, Sgt. Gonzalez personally led his platoon along the edge of a rice paddy to a dike opposite the bunker. Then, fully exposed to enemy fire, he crossed the road and destroyed the bunker with hand grenades, allowing the advance to continue.

On 3 February, despite being seriously wounded again, Sgt. Gonzalez refused medical evacuation and remained with his platoon, continuing to supervise and lead his Marines.

On 4 February, the enemy once more pinned the company down with automatic weapons and rocket fire, inflicting heavy casualties. Armed with light antitank assault weapons, Sgt. Gonzalez repeatedly exposed himself, moving from position to position, firing round after round into heavily fortified enemy emplacements. He successfully knocked out a rocket position and suppressed multiple hostile firing points before being mortally wounded.

His leadership, courage, and relentless determination inspired his Marines and directly contributed to the company’s ability to continue fighting through the shattered streets and outskirts of Huế.

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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, 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.