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DDG-66 USS GONZALEZ

CLASS - BURKE Flight I As Built.
Displacement 8373 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 504' 7" (oa) x 66' 11" x 20' (Max)
Armament 1 x 5"/54 RF, 2 Phalanx 20mm Guns, 90 VLS Cells,
8 Harpoon Missiles, 6 x 12.75" TT.
Machinery, 100,000 SHP; 4 GE LM-2500 Gas Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 30+ Knots, Range 4400 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 370.
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Bath Iron Works, Bath ME on February 3 1994.
Launched February 18 1995 and commissioned October 12 1996.
In November 1996 while on post commissioning shakedown,
Gonzales ran aground off Puerto Rico causing extensive damage.
She was towed back to Bath Iron Works for repair. Estimated
damage was 50 - 60 Million and 9 - 12 months for repair.
Returned to service in September 1997, repair costs were much lower than
estimated, only 10 million was required for repairs.
Active unit of the US. Navy.
Homeported at Norfolk Virginia.

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Gonzalez 14kSERGEANT ALFREDO 'FREDDY' CANTU GONZALEZ. 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 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."Fabio Peña
Gonzalez 187k"The Wall" at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. showing the name of Alfredo Gonzalez.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 82kThe Launching Program for USS Gonzalez DDG-66, held at Bath Iron Works Corporation, Bath, ME on 18 February 1995.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 143kApril 1996 in the Gulf of Maine during the ships trials.-
Gonzalez 101kUSS Gonzalez (DDG 66) underway at high speed during the builder's sea trials, May 3 1996. U.S. Navy Photo.Bill Gonyo
Gonzalez 154kUSS Gonzalez (DDG 66) underway at high speed during the builder's sea trials, May 3 1996. U.S. Navy Photo.Tom Langford
Gonzalez 72kDN-SC-98-00525, N1601RS10/96001. An aerial port quarter view of the guided missile destroyer USS GONZALEZ (DDG-66) being maneuvered into a Norfolk docking slip by two commercial tugboats. Photo by Robert Sitar, October 1 1996.Bill Gonyo
Gonzalez 86kProgram for the Commissioning Ceremony for the USS Gonzalez DDG-66. The event was held at Ingleside, Texas on Saturday, 12 October 1996.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 176kUSS Gonzales DDG-66 commissioning ceremony at NavSta Ingleside,TX 12 Oct 1996, Gonzales is in the center of the picture.Bill Gonyo
Gonzalez 74kPortsmouth VA, July 24, 1998.Marc Piché
Gonzalez 69kThe aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and the guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) conduct an emergency break away drill during underway replenishment operations off the coast of Virginia with the Military Sealift Command oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO 203), Nov. 8, 1998. Enterprise is currently on a scheduled six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice William R. Crossly. [981108-N-0063C-001] Nov. 8, 1998.Fred Weiss
Gonzalez 41kUSS Gonzalez DDG 66 in Gibraltar on 10th January 1999.© Daniel Ferro
Gonzalez 61k990331-N-1556A-001. 31 March 1999, Adriatic Sea, a "Tomahawk" cruise missile launches from the aft missile deck of the USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), in the early morning hours. The guided-missile destroyer GONZALEZ is participating in day eight of NATO Operation Allied Force. U.S. Navy Photo by PH3 Renso Amariz.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 56kAboard USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) Apr. 3, 1999, in the early morning hours somewhere in the Adriatic Sea, a "Tomahawk" cruise missile launches from the forward missile deck aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Gonzalez, headed for targets in Yugoslavia. Navy Photo by Photographers Mate 3rd Class Renso Amariz.Fred Weiss
Gonzalez 75k990404-N-1556A-001. 4 April 1999, Adriatic Sea, the super structure of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzlez (DDG 66) becomes visible in the pitch black early morning hours, as a "Tomahawk" cruise missile launches from the aft missile Vertical Launch System (VLS). GONZALEZ is currently forward deployed in the Adriatic Sea to support NATO Operation Allied Force. Military Planners stepped up the bombing campaign to include targets in the heart of the Serbian capital of Belgrade. U.S. Navy Photo by PH3 Renso Amariz.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 54k990404-N-1556A-002. 4 April 1999, Adriatic Sea, in a split second flash of fire and smoke, a "Tomahawk" cruise missile starts its launch from the forward Vertical Launch System (VLS) missile deck of the USS Gonzalez (DDG 66). GONZALEZ is currently forward deployed in the Adriatic Sea to support NATO Operation Allied Force. U.S. Navy Photo by PH3 Renso Amariz.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 117k990501-N-5906L-004. At sea aboard USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), May 1 1999, Fireman Jose Oregon from Houston, TX, closes a section of the ship firemain from the main control board on board the USS Gonzalez. Gonzalez is in the Adriatic Sea in support of Operation Allied Force. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Todd Linard.Bill Gonyo
Gonzalez 61kAt sea aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) June 3 1999, the fueling masts of the oiler USS Monogahela (AO 178) frame the destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Shawn M. Boyer.Fred Weiss
Gonzalez 69k990608-N-8493H-001. 8 June 1999, an SH-60F Seahawk attached to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Three (HS 3), from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) conducts deck landing qualifications (DLQ) aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66). The USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group and Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW 8) are operating in the Adriatic Sea in support of the NATO led Operation Allied Force. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Steven Harbour.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 46kPortsmouth, England April 2000.Marc Piché
Gonzalez 31kPortsmouth, England April 19, 2000.Marc Piché
Gonzalez 81kPortsmouth, England April 19, 2000.Marc Piché
Gonzalez 69kSeptember 3 2003, Underway in the Atlantic Ocean the guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) conducts work-ups before an upcoming six-month deployment. Gonzalez is part of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. U.S. Navy photo.Steven A. Cardali
Gonzalez 66kSeptember 5 2003, left to right, USS Thorn (DD 988), USS Cole (DDG 67), and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), members of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, perform divisional tactics while underway in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo.Fred Weiss
Gonzalez 96k030905-N-5471P-005 Atlantic Ocean, September 5 2003, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group ships, USS Thorn (DD 988), USS Cole (DDG 67), and the USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), perform divisional tactics while underway in the Atlantic Ocean. The guided missile destroyers are conducting work-ups before an upcoming six-month deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Aaron Peterson.Bill Gonyo
Gonzalez 69k030906-N-5471P-003. Atlantic Ocean, 6 September 2003, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) underway in the Atlantic, during a work-up exercise before the ships scheduled deployment. Gonzalez is assigned to the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. James Stavridis. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Aaron Peterson. Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 97k031215-N-2716P-062. Bar, Serbia and Montenegro, 15 December 2003, a tug boat leads the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) into port, marking the first visit by a U.S. Navy ship since the establishment of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro in February this 2003. The visit underscores the United States' commitment to Serbia and Montenegro's progress toward membership in the European community of nations as a free, democratic country. The visit also recognizes the established cooperation between the United States and Serbia and Montenegro in the effort to foster future support with the ongoing international war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Paul J. Phelps.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 99k031215-N-2716P-094. Bar, Serbia and Montenegro, 15 December 2003, a tug assists the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) to the pier, for a port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Paul J. Phelps.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 91k040120-N-0780F-012. Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, 20 January 2004, USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) moored at the Marathi NATO pier facility during a brief port visit at Souday Bay. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 68k040422-N-5821W-008. Mediterranean Sea, 22 April 2004, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) steaming during exercise Clever Sentinel 2004. The exercise is a multilateral maritime interdiction training exercise led by Italy in the Med. The exercise was part of the U.S. launched Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), a collaborative effort to take active measures against trafficking in WMD, their delivery systems and related materials to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern around the world. Five nations, including the U.S., provided assets for the exercise and several nations sent observers to the exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Stephen P. Weaver.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 146k050404-N-3557N-080. Atlantic Ocean, April 4 2005, a Sailor assigned to the Air Department moves to a safe location after chocking the wheels of an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66). Gonzalez, assigned to the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Expeditionary Strike Group, is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Christopher J. Newsome.Bill Gonyo
Gonzalez 111k050422-N-7365V-081. Suez Canal, 22 April 2005, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) transits the Suez Canal. Gonzalez is assigned to the USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group on a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Apprentice Dennard Vinson.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 98k050706-N-0401E-004. Mombasa, Kenya, 6 July 2005, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) pulls into the port of Mombasa, Kenya for an overnight port call. Gonzalez is currently deployed to the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility as part of the USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group and is participating in coalition maritime security operations (MSO). MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as an avenue of attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Wes Eplen.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 98kMombasa, Kenya July 6 2005, a rainbow arches over the guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) as it pulls into the Port of Mombasa, Kenya for an overnight port call. The visit marks the first time a U.S. Naval ship has visited Mombasa since 1999.Fred Weiss
Gonzalez 124k051005-N-3622P-005. 5 October 2005, an aerial view of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) at its pier at Naval Station Everett, Washington. Along with her are USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) (left), USS Ford (FFG 54) (right) and USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) (right rear). U.S. Navy Photo by PH2 Chris Perkins.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 94k051220-N-0685C-004. Persian Gulf, 20 December 2005, guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) breaks away after performing plane guard duty for the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Roosevelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) are underway on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Javier Capella.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 89k060202-N-3904I-024. Persian Gulf, 2 February 2006, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) transits the Persian Gulf, after having conducted small boat attack training. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Dusan M. Ilic.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 84kSix views from the Gonzalez deployment from February 11 2006 to August 17 2006. Rhodes, Greece from across the bay.John Lawless
Gonzalez 63kAs above, DDG-66's mast.John Lawless
Gonzalez 73kAs above, Suez Canal from the bridgewing.John Lawless
Gonzalez 69kAs above, Orient Queen, the cruise ship Gonzalez escorted when she evacuated American Citizens from Lebanon in July, 2006.John Lawless
Gonzalez 90kAs above, Rhodes, Greece.John Lawless
Gonzalez 74kAs above, deployment shirt graphic with artwork by Alan Woolford.John Lawless
Gonzalez 64kTwo views of the Gonzalez in Rhodes, Greece harbor on July 11 2006.Frank Berghuis
Gonzalez 80kAs above.Frank Berghuis
Gonzalez 109k060717-N-0780F-002. Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, 17 July 2006, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) gets underway following a brief port visit to Souda Bay, Crete. Gonzalez has been assigned escort duties in support of the evacuation of U.S. citizens out of Lebanon. At the request of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and at the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the United States Central Command and U.S. Marines are assisting with the authorized departure of U.S. citizens from Lebanon. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Paul Farley.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 71k060717-N-0780F-001. Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, 17 July 2006, a great stern view of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) departing Souda Bay, Crete following a brief port. U.S. Navy photo by Paul Farley.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 100k060817-N-5681S-050. Norfolk, Va., 17 August 2006, the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), mooring at Naval Station Norfolk, as family and friends look on. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael Starkey.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 118k060817-N-7653W-082. Norfolk, Va., Aug. 17 2006, family and friends anxiously await the arrival of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), upon her return to Naval Station Norfolk. Gonzalez has been deployed from her homeport for 18 months, while participating in the Atlantic Fleet's "Sea Swap" initiative. Under Sea Swap ships remain deployed while crews are rotated every six-months, increasing the forward presence and on-station time of the fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Justan K. Williams.Robert M. Cieri
Gonzalez 29kShip's patch.Mike Smolinski
Gonzalez 48kShip's patch.Mike Smolinski

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Note About Contacts.

The contact listed, Was the contact at the time for this ship when located. If another person now is the contact, E-mail me and I will update this entry. These contacts are compiled from various sources over a long period of time and may or may not be correct. Every effort has been made to list the newest contact if more than one contact was found.


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