SGT Gonzales: How He Earned the Medal of Honor
Channel: BlackBearSix.TV
Date: 2018-09-04

SGT ALFREDO GONZALEZ: U.S. Marine Corps, Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF; awarded the Medal of Honor for actions near Thua Thien, Republic of Vietnam, 4 February 1968.

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, 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. 

The Battle of Hue City - 11 battalions of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), four U.S. Army battalions, and three U.S. Marine Corps battalions defeated 10 battalions of the People's Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong (VC).

South Vietnamese and U.S. forces in Hue City were unprepared when the VC launched the Tet Offensive, attacking hundreds of military targets and population centers across the country, including Hue.

Vietcong forces occupied most of the city, but, over the next month, they were gradually driven out during intense house-to-house fighting led by the Marines and ARVN. 

Hue City was largely destroyed; 5,000 civilians were killed (2,800 executed by the VC, according to the South Vietnamese government).

Communist forces lost an estimated 2,400 to 8,000 killed, while Allied forces lost 668 dead and 3,707 wounded. 

The losses negatively affected the American public's perception and political support for the conflict began to wane.  This video recounts the heroic actions of one Medal of Honor decorated US Marine during the Battle of Hue City.

"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."