About Us

Our Uncle Rudy legally immigrated to Harlingen, Texas from Monterrey, Mexico in 1955 with his family. He excelled in school and graduated from Harlingen High School in 1964. He volunteered for the Vietnam War shortly after graduation to fight for this country, and in return for his service, Uncle Rudy counted on the G.I. Bill to pursue his college education.

Cpl. Rodolfo M. Gonzalez was a Huey helicopter door gunner with the highly decorated Marine Observation Squadron Six (VMO-6). On November 14, 1966—just days before returning home—he accepted one last rescue and recovery flight. He stayed in the air to earn extra hazardous duty pay to help support his family. Several comrades recall begging him to stand down and stay safe. His duffel bag had already shipped and was received by our grandparents—followed by a knock at the door from the uniformed CACO officers delivering heartbreaking news.

Brothers Gerardo and Rodolfo Gonzalez, first-generation Americans, have pursued Uncle Rudy’s posthumous citizenship since a 2012 interview with his last surviving sibling, Frances Garza (Gonzalez). The brothers have since joined VMO-6 reunions, produced a documentary, and created a digital archive in his honor. Rodolfo is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, and Gerardo has worked for decades as a network television cameraman.

IN CLOSING: We pray that our Uncle Rudy be formally recognized as a United States citizen. His life was cut short in Vietnam while flying into hostile fire to save fellow Americans. Please help us honor his ultimate sacrifice by fulfilling his dream—and our family’s dream—of granting him posthumous citizenship.

This may be our final opportunity, as Uncle Rudy’s sister Frances is now in her 70s.

On behalf of the Texas-based Gonzalez-Garza family, thank you for your time, compassion, and action.

Semper Fidelis,

Rodolfo Gonzalez | Gerardo Gonzalez
Website: www.UncleRudy.net