On May 9, 2023, our installation was redesignated Fort Cavazos in honor of Gen. Richard Edward Cavazos, a Texas-born hero of the Korean and Vietnam wars.
The post was one of nine U.S. Army installations being redesignated based on the Naming Commission’s recommendations to remove the names, symbols, displays, monuments and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America.
“We are proud to be renaming Fort Hood as Fort Cavazos in recognition of an outstanding American hero, a veteran of the Korea and Vietnam wars. General Cavazos’ combat proven leadership, his moral character and his loyalty to his Soldiers and their families made him the fearless yet respected and influential leader that he was during the time he served, and beyond,” said Lt. Gen. Sean Bernabe, former III Armored Corps commanding general. “We are ready and excited to be part of such a momentous part of history, while we honor a leader who we all admire.”
ABOUT GEN. RICHARD CAVAZOS
Fate brought Richard E. Cavazos into the American Century. But valor and leadership characterized his career of military service within it.
Cavazos was born on Jan. 31, 1929, in Kingsville, Texas, to Mexican American parents, Lauro and Thomasa Quintanilla Cavazos. His father was a World War I veteran who later became a ranch foreman of the King Ranch’s Santa Gertrudis division.
Cavazos grew up during the Great Depression and came of age during World War II. Eager to join the Army, he enrolled in the ROTC program at Texas Technical University right out of high school and was commissioned into the Army right after graduation in 1951.
After attending the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Airborne Training, 1st Lt. Cavazos was then deployed to Korea, where he was selected as platoon leader of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment. Known as the Borinqueneers, the 65th Infantry had been in Korea since the start of the war and was primarily made up of Soldiers from Puerto Rico, many of whom only spoke Spanish. Cavazos, who was raised bilingual, was a welcome addition after a series of commanders who spoke no Spanish, which resulted in confusion and chaos during battles.
Throughout his time in the Army, Cavazos believed that troops needed to have complete trust and faith in their commanding officer to achieve victory. As an example of his leadership, in February 1953, Cavazos, at first leading a few of his men and then going on alone once under attack by enemy fire, captured a wounded enemy soldier who had been left behind after an earlier skirmish. Cavazos was awarded a Silver Star for his bravery.
In June 1953, Cavazos’ leadership abilities were once again on display. He led his men on an assault of the enemy-held Hill 412 as part of a maneuver to cover Outpost Harry, an important defensive position near the hill. They soon came under heavy enemy artillery fire, which resulted in many American casualties. After successfully defending Outpost Harry through three intense hours of fighting, Cavazos received the order to return to friendly lines. Refusing to leave fallen and wounded American Soldiers behind, he repeatedly went back to rescue men, despite being wounded himself. His actions led to the Army awarding him the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest military honor for valor, as well as the Medal of Honor, the Armed Forces' highest military award for valor. Cavazos had previewed the career that was to follow, characterized by personal courage, commitment to his soldiers, and dedication to his mission.
As the Korean War ended and the Cold War endured, Cavazos continued to serve the nation with distinction. During the 1950s and early 1960s, he served as a student in several Army programs for officer development, rising through the ranks and enhancing his skills. A sixth generation Texan, he also returned to the ROTC program at Texas Tech for three years as a professor of Military Science.
When the Vietnam War began, then-Lt. Col. Cavazos was ready to bring men into battle once more: he commanded 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, often fighting in the field – and frequently leading from the front.
In 1967, he was once again awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for rallying his men through an ambush, organizing a counterattack, and leading several maneuvers to repulse and destroy extensive enemy defenses, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire in the process. Throughout his career, Cavazos continued to combine personal valor with commitment to his troops and dedication to his missions, additionally earning two Legions of Merit, five Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, and many other medals and awards for exceptional service in war and peace.
Although he completed his career in peacetime, Cavazos continued to keep the Soldiers under his command combat ready, striving to promote our nation’s security. He served in the Army’s strategic branches at the Pentagon and as Defense Attaché to the Embassy in Mexico.
His final assignment as head of the U.S. Army Forces Command fittingly summarized his career of service by placing him at the head of sustaining, training and deploying all the Army’s deployable forces. Cavazos retired from the Army in 1984 after 33 years of service.
Never forgetting his Texas roots or his time serving there, Gen. Cavazos retired to his native state and continued to serve as a mentor to the Battle Command Training Program – an initiative to ready officers for combat leadership that Cavazos himself had started. During his 33 years of retirement, Cavazos lived in San Antonio, Texas, and was credited with mentoring many Army commanders.
He died Oct. 29, 2017, and is buried at San Antonio’s Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
As a veteran of two modern wars and a longtime leader of Soldiers, Gen. Richard Cavazos’ service demonstrates excellence at every level. His 20th century service will inspire Soldiers as they continue those traditions of excellence into the 21st.
IN-DEPTH GEN. RICHARD CAVAZOS HISTORY:
Fort Hood was officially redesignated to Fort Cavazos May 9, 2023, in honor of Gen. Richard Edward Cavazos. From 1980 to 1982, Cavazos served as the III Corps commanding general.
The then-Fort Hood Sentinel published the below photo Feb. 7, 1980, of Gen. Robert Shoemaker, U.S. Army Forces Command, passing the III Corps and then-Fort Hood colors signifying command of III Corps and then-Fort Hood to its new commander, Lt. Gen. Cavazos. Cavazos took command Jan. 31, 1980.
Cavazos was described as being "the finest combat Soldier in the Army today" by Shoemaker. His assumption of command of III Corps took place on his 51st birthday. At the time of his command, Cavazos already had been awarded the Silver Star, two Distinguished Service Crosses and 29 other combat awards.
After nearly a year of preparation, Fort Hood will officially redesignate to Fort Cavazos on May 9, in compliance with the 2021 legislation that required the removal or modification of any Department of Defense assets commemorating the Confederate States of America or anyone who voluntarily served under the Confederacy.
The redesignation has raised numerous questions, including concerns about sign modifications, birth certificate updates for those born on the installation and even mail delivery.
"The re-designation of our installation to Fort Cavazos marks a new chapter in the history of the Great Place. This turn to a new page is not a transition. Instead, it is a reaffirmation of the legacy of service and sacrifice that has characterized our community since this installation was founded in 1942. General Richard Cavazos, a native son of Texas and war hero, will be our new namesake. His example is emblematic of who we were yesterday, who we are today and who we will be in the future." - Col. Chad R. Foster, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos
THE LEGACY OF GENERAL RICHARD CAVAZOS: A CONVERSATION WITH FORMER ARMY LEADERS
Join us for an insightful conversation with former Army leaders General James D. Thurman and Lt. Col. Ed Mullen as they talk about General Richard E. Cavazos. As we delve into this distinguished military leader's legacy, you'll discover his remarkable impact on the Army and his role in shaping its future. From his early years as a cadet to his illustrious career, our guests provide a fascinating glimpse into the life and achievements of General Cavazos. So, tune in as we unravel the untold story of this remarkable Soldier and uncover the inspiration behind the re-designation of Fort Hood to Fort Cavazos.
HISTORY-MAKING SOLDIER, EXTRAORDINARY FATHER
General Richard E. Cavazos has been called many things by his peers including mentor and hero. However, Laura Blevins, Katherine Cavazos, Rebecca Cavazos and Tommy Cavazos simply called him, Dad.
The siblings spoke about the Installation Redesignation Ceremony when Fort Hood was officially redesignated as Fort Cavazos after their late father on Tuesday.
“It was a very beautiful ceremony, especially our VIP speakers, Colonel Tucker and of course General House,” said Rebecca, the third child of Cavazos. “It was emotional. It reminded me that Soldiers from my dad’s battalion in Vietnam would come down from everywhere and celebrate my dad’s birthday. He started having some dementia — they came anyway.”
So often when traveling in Texas, you have to drive through the outskirts of a small town. In fact, Texas has more than 200 small towns.
I have always found that small towns are where someone can find the heart and soul of the country. It is where everyone knows everyone, gossip spreads faster than you think and yet, for the most part, everyone looks out for another. People there tend to be incredibly inviting and warm.
So, I jumped at the chance to visit Kingsville when I learned that this city is where Gen. Richard Cavazos, the namesake of this installation, was born and raised.
The city of Kingsville is 4.5 hours south from Fort Cavazos, just an hour or so from the Gulf of Mexico. It too is a city filled with kind people and small-town charm.
7 Soldiers from Korean, Vietnam Wars receive Medals of Honor
WASHINGTON — At a White House ceremony on Friday, January 3, 2024, President Joe Biden presented Medals of Honor to seven Soldiers who served in either the Korean War or the Vietnam War.
Among the Soldiers honored were Pvt. Bruno R. Orig, Pfc. Wataru Nakamura, Cpl. Fred B. McGee, Pfc. Charles R. Johnson and Gen. Richard E. Cavazos. All served in the Korean War and received the medal posthumously. Family members accepted the decoration on their behalf.
From the Vietnam War, both Capt. Hugh R. Nelson Jr. and Spc. 4th Class Kenneth J. David were decorated. Nelson received the medal posthumously, while David, the only living recipient, accepted the medal in person.
"I'm deeply privileged to honor seven American heroes," Biden said. "That's not hyperbole. These are genuine, to their core, heroes. Heroes of different ranks, different positions, and even different generations. But heroes who all went above and beyond the call of duty. Heroes who all deserve our nation's highest and oldest military recognition, the Medal of Honor."
Set in more than 340 square miles of Central Texas and with the best and most expansive training facilities to be found anywhere in the U.S. Army, Fort Cavazos is the home of III Armored Corps Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Army Division West, 13th Armored Corps Sustainment Command and other separate brigades, tenant units and organizations – in total more than 34,500 soldiers and airmen and an additional 48,500 family members.
In addition to its active-duty role, Fort Cavazos mobilizes, trains, deploys and demobilizes 24,000 Reserve and Nation Guard Soldiers annually in support of global operations. Fort Cavazos also distinguishes itself as the largest single local-location employer in the state of Texas – with more than 4,000 civilian employees and nearly 5,000 contractors working here and, according to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Fort Cavazos' economic impact is estimated at $28.8 billion on the Texas economy (Texas Comptroller’s Memo – 2021).
