thedrifter
02-05-08, 07:45 AM
Posted on Tue, Feb. 05, 2008
Marine hero's mom given Texas medal
By JOHN MORITZ
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Forty years to the day after he died in a heroic firefight inside a Catholic church in South Vietnam, Marine Sgt. Freddy Gonzalez received the highest military award his native state can bestow.
Gov. Rick Perry traveled to Edinburg on Monday to formally award the Texas Medal of Honor to Gonzalez's mother, Dolia, during an emotional ceremony in the football stadium where the scrappy teenager starred during his high school days in the 1960s.
"The motivation to fight oppression and defend those who cannot defend themselves is the noble heartbeat of our nation," Perry said. "On behalf of 23 million Texans, I am proud to honor Freddy Gonzales with the Texas Medal of Honor. Texas will continue to give our thanks and prayers for him and those like him who serve our country with the valor and bravery of the greatest American heroes."
The initial battle
According to state records, Gonzalez's Marine unit was involved in the initial phase of Operation Hue City on Jan. 31, 1968, and was sent in to reinforce other units fighting in the city during the pivotal Tet Offensive. The unit's truck convoy drew heavy enemy fire.
Under Gonzalez's direction, the unit returned fire, clearing the area of enemy snipers.
As the convoy continued, it was attacked again. Gonzalez suffered wounds from an exploding grenade as he rescued another wounded Marine. Then, while much of the convoy remained pinned down, Gonzalez led his platoon to the bunker and destroyed it with hand grenades.
The fighting continued
After the convoy reached Hue City on Feb. 3, Gonzalez suffered serious wounds in heavy fighting but stayed with his men. The next day, with his unit pinned down and under intense fire, Gonzalez used several antitank weapons to break the enemy's stronghold.
As he destroyed their position, Gonzalez was struck by enemy fire. He died in the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, where he had taken cover.
He was 21 and serving his second tour in Vietnam.
Gonzalez's actions earned him the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration for valor, which was awarded to his mother the following year.
A hometown hero
In Edinburg and surrounding communities, Gonzalez's bravery was celebrated. An elementary school and other public facilities were named for him. An American Legion post in a neighboring town bears his name. There's an Alfredo Gonzalez Boulevard at the Marines' Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and an Alfredo Gonzalez mess hall at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
In 1996, the Navy commissioned the USS Gonzalez, a guided missile destroyer, and Dolia Gonzalez had the honor of cracking a champagne bottle against the bow.
During the 2007 legislative session, lawmakers made Gonzalez the sixth recipient of the Texas Medal of Honor.
State Rep. Aaron Pena, an Edinburg Democrat who sponsored the measure to award him the honor, said it was long overdue, especially for his mother, now 78.
"This has been a long road for her," Pena said. "She is such an inspiration to our community, especially to the families who have sent their sons and daughters off to fight the current wars. So this is now the last chapter."
Dolia Gonzalez, who was a 16-year-old farm worker when her son was born, did not speak at the ceremony, Pena said. But during an interview with the Star-Telegram in November, she said she appreciates the effort of others to keep her son's memory alive.
"He's with me every day," she said. "He's all I ever had."
Ellie
Marine hero's mom given Texas medal
By JOHN MORITZ
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Forty years to the day after he died in a heroic firefight inside a Catholic church in South Vietnam, Marine Sgt. Freddy Gonzalez received the highest military award his native state can bestow.
Gov. Rick Perry traveled to Edinburg on Monday to formally award the Texas Medal of Honor to Gonzalez's mother, Dolia, during an emotional ceremony in the football stadium where the scrappy teenager starred during his high school days in the 1960s.
"The motivation to fight oppression and defend those who cannot defend themselves is the noble heartbeat of our nation," Perry said. "On behalf of 23 million Texans, I am proud to honor Freddy Gonzales with the Texas Medal of Honor. Texas will continue to give our thanks and prayers for him and those like him who serve our country with the valor and bravery of the greatest American heroes."
The initial battle
According to state records, Gonzalez's Marine unit was involved in the initial phase of Operation Hue City on Jan. 31, 1968, and was sent in to reinforce other units fighting in the city during the pivotal Tet Offensive. The unit's truck convoy drew heavy enemy fire.
Under Gonzalez's direction, the unit returned fire, clearing the area of enemy snipers.
As the convoy continued, it was attacked again. Gonzalez suffered wounds from an exploding grenade as he rescued another wounded Marine. Then, while much of the convoy remained pinned down, Gonzalez led his platoon to the bunker and destroyed it with hand grenades.
The fighting continued
After the convoy reached Hue City on Feb. 3, Gonzalez suffered serious wounds in heavy fighting but stayed with his men. The next day, with his unit pinned down and under intense fire, Gonzalez used several antitank weapons to break the enemy's stronghold.
As he destroyed their position, Gonzalez was struck by enemy fire. He died in the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, where he had taken cover.
He was 21 and serving his second tour in Vietnam.
Gonzalez's actions earned him the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration for valor, which was awarded to his mother the following year.
A hometown hero
In Edinburg and surrounding communities, Gonzalez's bravery was celebrated. An elementary school and other public facilities were named for him. An American Legion post in a neighboring town bears his name. There's an Alfredo Gonzalez Boulevard at the Marines' Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and an Alfredo Gonzalez mess hall at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
In 1996, the Navy commissioned the USS Gonzalez, a guided missile destroyer, and Dolia Gonzalez had the honor of cracking a champagne bottle against the bow.
During the 2007 legislative session, lawmakers made Gonzalez the sixth recipient of the Texas Medal of Honor.
State Rep. Aaron Pena, an Edinburg Democrat who sponsored the measure to award him the honor, said it was long overdue, especially for his mother, now 78.
"This has been a long road for her," Pena said. "She is such an inspiration to our community, especially to the families who have sent their sons and daughters off to fight the current wars. So this is now the last chapter."
Dolia Gonzalez, who was a 16-year-old farm worker when her son was born, did not speak at the ceremony, Pena said. But during an interview with the Star-Telegram in November, she said she appreciates the effort of others to keep her son's memory alive.
"He's with me every day," she said. "He's all I ever had."
Ellie