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
machinegun 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.