Period:

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Rank:

Boatswain's Mate 1st Class

Unit:

U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

1970

Citation:
"On the 10th of July, 1970, Petty Officer Gonzales was an advisor assisting the re-supplying of four river patrol boats on the upper Saigon River.
As the helicopter hovered to have a sling attached to its cargo hook, two rockets hit the aircraft in the tail section. There was an immediate explosion and the helicopter went out of control and crashed. Reacting immediately, (Gonzales) ran to the rear portion of the craft, where 18 injured men were partially trapped.
The enemy had now moved to a tree line 200 metres from the helicopter and were peppering the aircraft and surrounding area with heavy automatic weapons fire.
Petty Officer Gonzales, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to the enemy fire and intense heat of the burning helicopter to assist the injured men. He aided in smothering the fire while sill receiving heavy enemy fire.
Petty Officer Gonzales made three trips from the burning wreckage to the river bank to evacuate the men from the kill zone. Due to his efforts, men were safely evacuated from the area of the burning helicopter."