Crew members of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) traveled to Texas for Veterans Day weekend to pay tribute to their ship's namesake, Sgt. Alfredo "Freddy" Gonzalez.

Gonzalez served in the Marine Corps and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War.

During the trip, Gonzalez Commanding Officer Cmdr. Stefan Walch and a contingent of his crew visited with their namesake's mother, Dolia, and organizations linked to her son's memory and sacrifice -- including the Freddy Gonzalez Elementary School, the Museum of South Texas History, the Veterans War Memorial of Texas, and the Freddy Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home.

"Meeting with the kids and their families was very rewarding," said Petty Officer 1st Class William Mireles. "It was very heartwarming to meet with people who went to school with Freddy and people who served with him. It really brought it all home for me."

Walch and U.S. Army Lt. Gen. J. Patrick Donahue, deputy commander at Fort Bragg, spoke at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas during their Veterans Days Memorial Ceremony. Gonzalez Sailors also met veterans from World War II, as well as from conflicts up to Iraq and Afghanistan.

"It was a great opportunity to finally meet the communities of our namesake's history, and to thank them for their support," said Walch. "We were also able to present our ship's capabilities to the folks in these land-locked communities."

While visiting south Texas, Sailors were often stopped and asked about the ship and their experience on board. When visiting the Museum of South Texas History, local community members asked what it was like to serve on a U.S. Navy warship.

"It was really flattering and an honor to be home and meet all these veterans who served before me; it really reminded me of why I joined," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Kathryn Lira, an area native. "It was great meeting Dolia Gonzalez. She and Freddy were household names growing up."

Walch and crew members visited the Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home. There they met U.S. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, State Representative Sergio Munoz Jr., and McAllen Mayor James Darling. The ceremony honored the veterans residing there, as well as all those who have served. They also met with the Mayor of Pharr, Texas, Dr. Ambrosio "Amos" Hernandez, and local city councilmen who were interested in the ship and her history.

"It is a privilege that we were able to pay our respects in person for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice," said Walch.

Gonzalez and his convoy came under fire near the village of Lang Van Lrong, Jan. 31, 1968. He led his men in successfully clearing the area. Farther down the road, he received shrapnel wounds while carrying an injured man to safety. When the convoy was halted by a machine gun bunker, he led his platoon towards the position and destroyed it with hand grenades. Eventually reaching the city of Huế, his unit became engaged in heavy combat there. Gonzalez was seriously wounded Feb. 3, but refused medical treatment. The following day, when a large North Vietnamese force inflicted heavy casualties on his company, he used anti-tank weapons to fire on the fortified positions. He successfully checked the North Vietnamese advance and silenced a rocket emplacement before being mortally wounded by a rocket. He took cover in the Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, where he died from his injuries.

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