Navy names new commander of Freddy Gonzalez destroyer
EDINBURG — The U.S. Navy has named a new commander to lead USS Gonzalez, a destroyer named after Edinburg’s Vietnam hero.
Lynn Acheson will receive the ship’s top title at a ceremony Friday in Norfolk, Va., where she will take command the first day of the crew’s NATO deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. There, USS Gonzalez will operate with eight different NATO navies.
The warship is named in honor of Sgt. Alfredo "Freddy" Gonzalez, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after leading his platoon in the Battle of Hue City during the Vietnam War in 1968.
He is survived by his mother Dolia Gonzalez who plans to attend the ceremony, which coincides with her 80th birthday.
Acheson will relieve Cmdr. Brian Fort, who moves on as commanding officer at the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, N.Y. Acheson most recently served at sea as executive officer aboard USS Mason.
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Ana Ley covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4428.
