Alfredo Cantu
Gonzalez
May 23,1946 – Fed
4,1968
Alfredo Gonzalez was
born in Edinburg Texas on May 23, 1946, he is one of the most recognized
personalities in such area due to many of his accomplishments. He died at the
early age of 21 protecting his comrades on February 4,1968 during the Vietnam
War in KIA in Hue City Vietnam.
Being a Mexican-
American citizen in the local area of Edinburg, he graduated from Lamar grammar
school in 1955,and as well from Edinburg High School in 1965. Despite his small
size (165 pounds) he was part of the Football team and was a district member.
His mother Dolia Gonzalez described him as the most determined person she ever
met. The relationship between them was very close and was the base of his life,
since he was the only child and she was a single mother. The immense support
given to Mr. Gonzalez by his mother helped him overcome any situations along
the way.
Freddy’s life was no
ordinary, he always had a vision and passion to helping others.
During high school he
was part of many extracurricular activities, said to love math class and
everything related to science. Many of his high school peers describe him as a
very antisocial student, he used to only attend to the library during recess
time and expand his knowledge with the use of historical books. He was also
physically fit and a very athletic young man. His physical features together
with his mental ability to solve problems, together made him a very mature man
at such young age.
Naturally he loved to
spend time with his family and attend to football games on saturday nights. His
mother Dolia stated before she saw Gonzalez for the last time that she knew he
was going to make history. That she would always send him letters and make fun
of his skinny figure wearing such uniforms.
The Gonzalez family
was a very typical family, they loved to spend time together and mostly share
experiences. They were not a very high economic class type of family but they
did have a very good economic support.
Freddy Gonzalez life
was impacted at a very early age when he decided to do something for the
community, he also decided to put to the side love and marriage.
Dolia Gonzalez shared
a very special memory of his son, she said he would always read the newspaper
headlines when it showed articles of the United States Army. Her son would
always show a special interest in joining the service, to him it was more than
just wearing a uniform. Joining the United States Marine Corps represented honor,
respect ,and responsibility. As a mother it was very hard to let her son leave
and serve his country. She always feared to lose him, since she had such a
close relationship with him and he was her world.
Mr. Gonzalez enlisted
the United States Marine Corps at the age of 18, on June 3,1965,completing his
recruit training in San Diego California he showed a very special talent and
various skills.
On October of the
same year he became a rifleman with Service Company and Headquarters, 1st
Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division and served in that
position until January of the year 1966.
After such period of
time, he had showed a tremendous natural skill and passion to serve his
country. He was then promoted to Private First Class, serving a one tour year
in Vietnam as a rifleman. He was also promoted to Lance Corporal on october1
and to Corporal on December1. Such continuous promotions to higher ranks in a
very short period of time reflected his talent and discipline with no doubt.
Coming back to the United States he saw duty as a rifleman
with the Second Battalion,6th Marines,2ndMarine Division at the very
famous camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Then he became an instructor at such
camp and gave those recruiters advice and special knowledge he had obtained
with experience in techniques of guerrilla warfare. At this point Gonzalez had
no limitations, he became the hero and mentor to those in the process of learning
skills, he became the undeniable young master and the perfect son that wrote to
his mother on a daily basis.
On July 1,1967 he was
promoted to sergeant, and arrived to the very known dangerous Republic of
Vietnam. He served as a squad leader and platoon sergeant with the 3rd
Platoon, Company A. He then started to fight in the Battle of Hue during
January 1968, he was sent along with a troop to the city unit to reinforce
safety. During such battle many men got injured and Gonzalez showed the biggest
of his talents, helping and carrying others to safety.
His troops were
seriously bombed, and in heavy combat this was a very delicate time for
Gonzalez. He had witness many of his dearest friends die, and himself got
injured on February 3.
Many of his terrible
injuries and wounds hurt him physically but they did not reached his spirit.
Refusing medical treatment he decided to act while moving by truck convoy a
long route Using anti-tank weapons he fired the fortified positions. Before
being mortally wounded by a rocket he checked the Vietnamese advance and
silenced a rocket emplacement. He took cover in the Saint Joan of Art Catholic
Church and died.
The brave actions of
Sergeant Gonzalez awarded him with the highest decoration
The Medal of Honor on
February 4,1968 such medal was awarded to him by Vice President Spiro T. Agnew
during the Ceremony at the White House.
“His mother proudly
held the Medal and pointed at the sky, knowing that even during such hard times
he would be looking after our country.” Mrs. Dolia Gonzalez said she felt proud
of having such a brave son when she received those awards and that she will
always be thankful to those that admire him.
The significance of
the Medal of Honor is conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of live
above and beyond the call of duty.
Sergeant Alfredo
Gonzalez also called Freddy Gonzalez was also awarded with many more recognitions/decorations
such as The purple heart, given to those that are enlisted in service and get
injured along the way.
The Presidential Unit
Citation which was an award given to those with Gallantry, determination, and
spirit in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous
conditions. The Good Conduct Medal was also awarded to him and its significance
is exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal Military
Service. The National Defense Medal that was awarded for his military service
during periods of national emergency and shows the bald eagle. The Vietnam
Service Medal with four Stars was awarded to him for his participation in such
war and the four stars represent his level of service. Vietnam Cross of
Gallantry with service star and many more. All of those medals are a tribute to
the bravery and undeniable sacrifice that our humble soldier decided to award to
us.
Many of Gonzalez
merits were recognized all over the state, the result of his hard work and
passion to serving our country earned him valuable respect. Today in the city
of Edinburg Texas and other locations, places hold his memory and are named
after such brave hero in honor to his service. For example the memorial park, a
veteran’s home, a very known high school, elementary school, a Dining Hall at
the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, a Boulevard at Camp Lejeune, a missile
launcher and even a street. The memory of Gonzalez will be always with us, an
exhibition with pictures, his uniform, and medals revives the story of our hero
at the Hidalgo County Historical Museum.
These places mentioned before are special
sites of learning and historical value, people often visit them, the curiosity
to know about the life of Freddy Gonzalez gives these sites more value.
Famous newspapers
like the Monitor write articles about honorable heroes like Freddy Gonzalez. Poems
and memories shared in these articles revive the story, gives us a different
perspective of why veterans day is so important and why we should always thank
those that give their life’s to protect us.
El dia de los muertos
with the Gonzalez family couldn’t be an exception, His mother shares with his
very close friends and family members the very emotional and colorful altar
that every year represents the life of the young sergeant.
Pictures, favorite
meals, candy, stories, and even precious objects like Freddy’s hair comb are
displayed in such altar.
As in now Freddy
Gonzalez will be always remembered by the community, Veterans day in Edinburg
Texas became his day, during such festivity many people from the local
community visit the memorial park and honor his memory by decorating the park
with flowers and candles. Us as a community are very proud of having such a
great personality in our grounds. As those great friends of him said “ All of
us who survived remain in awe of him “
