USS Gonzalez DDG 66

About this Unit

USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) is an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on October 12, 1996. Named in honor of Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez, a Medal of Honor recipient from the Vietnam War, the ship has participated in numerous operations, including maritime security, anti-piracy missions, and multinational exercises. Notably, USS Gonzalez played a key role in the rescue of the crew of the merchant vessel Safina al-Birsarat from Somali pirates in 2006. Over its service, the destroyer has demonstrated advanced combat capabilities and flexibility in global deployments, contributing to U.S. and allied naval operations worldwide.