"Captain Tony Gonzales In Search Of Heroes Interview, Photographs of the Naval Base Change of Command and the Grand Reopening of the Oceanview Room" by Ralph Zuranski
Captain Tony Gonzales, the Former Commander of the Naval Base In Point Loma, Is the First Hero Interviewed For the In Search Of Heroes In the Military Series Because Of His Lifelong Career of Serving and Protecting Those Under His Command. Click Here to see the videos interviews.
Click Here to see thephotos of the Naval Base Point Loma Change of Command and Retirement of Captain Tony Gonzales.
Click the links below to see the photos of the Celebration of the Re-opening of the "Oceanview Room.
Captain Anthony J. Gonzales was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert A. Gonzales. He entered the Navy following High School and commenced his first sea duty in July 1969, aboard USS RUFF (MSCO 54) in Long Beach, California. Following this tour, he then served onboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) and was selected for the Navy Nuclear Power Program as an Electrician's Mate. Following Nuclear Power School and Prototype training, he sailed on USS SKATE (SSN 578), USS PHILADELPHIA (SSN 690) and pre-commissioning unit of USS OMAHA (SSN 692).
Following commissioning as a Limited duty Officer, he served as Electrical Technical Assistant and Electrical Officer onboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) from June 1980 to July 1983 in Alameda, California. He then served as a Nuclear Ship Superintendent and as the Assistant Nuclear Repair Officer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington from July 1983 to February 1987.
Captain Gonzales completed his Department Head tour as Auxiliaries Officer onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) from March 1987 to March 1990. From March 1990 to March 1993, he served as the Assistant Material Officer for the Pacific Fleet Trident Submarines on the Staff of Commander, Submarine Squadron 17.
Selected for command, Captain Gonzales took command of the WATERFORD (ARD 5) in Groton, Connecticut, from May 1993 to April 1995. During his tour, WATERFORD was selected as the COMSUBLANT Battle Efficiency "E" recipient for 1994, and the Medical & Supply "E" recipient for 1993 and 1994.
Following his command tour, Captain Gonzales stood up the Naval Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and served as Production Officer for the Navy's first and only Integrated Surface and Submarine Maintenance Facility in May 1995. During his tour, he established the baseline for regional maintenance in the Navy, and NAVIMFAC was the Secretary of the Navy's nomination for the Department of Defense Maintenance award 2 years consecutively.
Captain Gonzales then served as Executive Officer of USS MCKEE (AS 41) from March 1998 to September 1999. During this tour the MCKEE completed a 6-month MIDPAC Deployment to support regional maintenance and a subsequent homeport shift of the ship from San Diego, CA to Norfolk, VA for decommissioning.
Captain Gonzales then reported to the staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific Fleet where he served as the Deputy Ship Material Officer from September 1999 until March 2000. Captain Gonzales then served onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) as Chief Engineer from April 2000 to June 2003. He completed two extended deployments including a combat deployment for Operation Enduring Freedom. He assumed command of Naval Base Point Loma in August, 2003.
In addition to the Surface Warfare Insignia and the Submarine Warfare Enlisted Insignia, Captain Gonzales is authorized to wear the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and numerous campaign and unit awards.