Navy Federal Credit Union

Antonio Gonzalez graduated from Kansas State University in 1996 before entering service in the United States Army to become a Special Forces Soldier.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant First Class

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)

    Action Date:

    June 11, 2007

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Antonio Gonzalez, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Senior Weapons Sergeant for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 732. Sergeant Gonzalez distinguished himself by inspiring those around him to extraordinary collective valor on 11 June 2007. His actions, killing an enemy soldier threatening his team’s rear flank, rescuing four afghan soldiers, and leading a split team in a six-hour enemy contact, were essential to an overwhelming battlefield victory. Sergeant Gonzalez’s personal courage and commitment to mission accomplishment in a combat zone, under the most extreme of circumstances, greatly contributed to the success of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM X. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.
    NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD:
    Sergeant First Class Antonio Gonzalez, United States Army, heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as Senior Weapons Sergeant for Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SFODA) 732, Special Operations Task Force-71, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On 11 June 2007, Sergeant Gonzalez willingly and without regard for his own life, continually exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to rescue four Afghan Soldiers, one of which was fatally wounded. SFODA 732, coming to the aid of Afghan Forces in a near ambush, became enveloped in the same ambush, composed of a numerically superior enemy force. The enemy immediately engaged the SFODA with small arms, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and recoilless rifle fire from distances as close as ten meters. Through this fire, Sergeant Gonzalez directed his vehicle across a wadi to a position where they could attack the flank of the enemy ambush line. Upon his initial occupation of his flanking position, Sergeant Gonzalez identified a wounded enemy Soldier who was still effectively engaging the rear of his SFODA’s position. Sergeant Gonzalez dismounted his vehicle, pursued and killed the enemy combatant, removing the remaining threat to the SFODA’s rear flank. At this time, the entire SFODA was continuing to receive highly effective fire from an 800 meter wide enemy ambush line. Sergeant Gonzalez recognized that there were four Afghani Soldiers pinned down in the enemy kill zone, which was preventing the team from using Close Air Support (CAS) in the area. He immediately, and without orders, took action to turn the momentum of the fight in the SFODA’s favor. He directed his vehicle into the center of the enemy kill zone, placing it within 30 meters of the enemy’s ambush line, and directly within the cross-fire of the enemy snipers and machine gunners. Without regard for his life, Sergeant Gonzalez left the protection of his armored vehicle and moved on foot the remaining 30 meters of the kill zone to the pinned down Soldiers. Over the course of three trips through enemy fire, he rescued all four Soldiers and brought them back to the safety of his armored vehicle. Each time he risked his life under intense fire to rescue Soldiers unable to maneuver on their own. He then directed his vehicle out of the center of the kill zone, allowing the detachment to destroy enemy positions with CAS. His actions were directly responsible for allowing his detachment to make maximum use of all available assets, which resulted in over 60 enemy killed, including two Taliban Commanders. As a result of his exceptional bravery, voluntarily rescuing endangered Afghani Soldiers, covering the actions of his teammates, and leading a split detachment, Sergeant Gonzalez inspired those around him by his poise, confidence, and absolute willingness to risk his life to accomplish the mission and turn the momentum of the fight. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.