Name USS Gonzalez Ordered 16 January 1991 Acquired 14 June 1996 Length 154 m Launched 18 February 1995 Beam 20 m | Namesake Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez Laid down 3 February 1994 Commissioned 12 October 1996 Construction started 3 February 1994 Draft 9.45 m Builder Bath Iron Works | |
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USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Gonzalez, a Medal of Honor recipient in the Vietnam War.
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Uss gonzalez ddg 66 inbound to norfolk naval station 13 july 2016
History
The warship took part in Operation Allied Force, firing Tomahawk cruise missiles at Serbian targets in 1999. She also assisted a cruise ship, Seabourn Spirit, after an abortive attack by pirates off the coast of Somalia in 2005.
On 1 March 2006, she rescued the crew of an Iranian ship, whose engine and rudder were broken down since 18 February. The Iranian crew were returned to Iran. She was involved in the Action of 18 March 2006 with suspected pirates, along with the cruiser USS Cape St. George. The two U.S. warships exchanged fire with the suspected pirates about 25 nautical miles (46 km) off the coast of Somalia. Initial reports indicated that one suspected pirate was killed and five others wounded.
On 17 July 2006, CNN reported that Gonzalez would be deployed to help in evacuation efforts of American citizens from Lebanon in the midst of the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict. On 26 July 2006, Frank James of The Chicago Tribune reported on the evacuation efforts of Gonzalez.
