USS Gonzales? As in Alberto? He has a ship named after him??? WTF?

[wordpix2]

This on Olbermann---the USS Gonzales steaming to pick up Americans in Lebanon

[babylonsister]

1. No, not that Gonzales. Someone earlier on DU provided a

link on who it was named for.

[tocqueville]

2. Well it's not Speedy Gonzales anyway nt

[yourout]

3. Self Delete

I am just to slow.
:)

[acmejack]

4. Alfredo Gonzalez

Alfredo Gonzalez

snip>
Alfredo 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

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/ddg-66.htm

[rasputin1952]

9. Here is his MOH Citation:

*GONZALEZ, ALFREDO

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Near Thua Thien, Republic of Vietnam, 4 February 1968. Entered service at: San Antonio, Tex. Born: 23 May 1946, Edinburg Tex. 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


*N.B. An asterisk in the citation indicates that the award was given posthumously.



http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/mohviet.htm

:patriot:

[demosincebirth]

10. I don't think he'd have a place, if he were alive, on Bush's

"chicken hawk" cabinet.

[Minnesota_Lib]

12. Nope, he undoubtedly would have been Swiftboated by the Chickhawks

[rasputin1952]

13. Bob Kerry was swiftboated in 1999. Another MOH recipient and

Navy SEAL that lost a leg, he was called a phony by the bush team.

There is a special place in hell for the chickenhawks that do these things.

[Kutjara]

5. Here's a link to some info about the ship.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/01066.htm

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Nope. A different Gonzalez. The ship was built in 1994.

it was named after a Sergeant Gonzalez who was killed in Vietnam. http://navysite.de/dd/ddg66.htm

[wordpix2]

7. thank you, everyone

[Ian David]

8. The crew sleeps on beds of nails. n/t

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

11. Chimpy preparing a new flightsuit fashion show for the USS Gonzalez

Rear Admiral Gannon to inspect the poop deck.