The grave of General Richard E. Cavazos, US Army, who was born on the King Ranch and served in Korea, Vietnam, and the war in Grenada, rests in a place of deep honor at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio TX.
General Cavazos was the first Hispanic four-star general in the Army.
From Wikipedia: (
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"Richard Edward Cavazos (January 31, 1929 – October 29, 2017), was a United States Army four-star general. He was a Korean War recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross as a first lieutenant and advanced in rank to become the United States Army's first Hispanic four-star general. During the Vietnam War, as a lieutenant colonel, Cavazos was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross. In 1976, Cavazos became the first Mexican American to reach the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army. Cavazos served for thirty-three years, with his final command as head of the U.S. Army Forces Command.
Korean War
During the Korean War, as a member of the 65th Infantry Regiment, a unit of mostly natives of Puerto Rico, he distinguished himself, receiving both the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions.
On February 25, 1953, Cavazos' Company E was attacked by the enemy. During the fight against a numerically superior enemy force, Cavazos distinguished himself and received the Silver Star for his actions. His company was able to emerge victorious from the battle. On June 14, 1953, Cavazos again distinguished himself during an attack on Hill 142, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions on that day.
Distinguished Service Cross citation (first award)
On September 10, 1953, per General Orders No. 832, Cavazos was awarded his first Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Korean War. His citation reads:
“The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Richard E. Cavazos (O-64593), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while as Company Commander of Company E, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Cavazos distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea, on the night of 14 June 1953. On that date, Lieutenant Cavazos led his men in a raid on the entrenched enemy upon whom heavy casualties were inflicted. When a heavy barrage was laid on the position by the enemy, Lieutenant Cavazos withdrew the company and regrouped his men. Lieutenant Cavazos three times led the company through the heavy barrage in assaults on the enemy position, each time destroying vital enemy equipment and personnel. When the United Nations element was ordered to withdraw, Lieutenant Cavazos remained alone on the enemy outpost to search the area for missing men. Exposed to heavy hostile fire, Lieutenant Cavazos located five men who had been wounded in the action. He evacuated them, one at a time, to a point on the reverse slope of the hill from which they could be removed to the safety of the friendly lines. Lieutenant Cavazos then made two more trips between the United Nations position and the enemy-held hill searching for casualties and evacuating scattered groups of men who had become confused. Not until he was assured that the hill was cleared did he allow treatment of his own wounds sustained during the action."
Vietnam War
In February 1967, Cavazos, then a lieutenant colonel, became commander of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment.[1] In October and November 1967, his battalion was engaged in fighting near the Cambodian border. During an attack at Loc Ninh in October 1967, his unit was able to repulse the enemy. For his valiant leadership at Loc Ninh, he was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross.
Distinguished Service Cross citation (second award)
On December 17, 1967, per General Orders No. 6479, Lieutenant Colonel Cavazos was awarded his second Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on October 30, 1967. His citation reads:
“The Distinguished Service Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) is presented to Richard E. Cavazos, Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Cavazos distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 30 October 1967 while, as battalion commander, he led his unit on a search and destroy operation in a large rubber plantation near Loc Ninh. One of his companies was making a reconnaissance when it suddenly began receiving heavy fire from a Viet Cong battalion in well-entrenched positions on the slope of a hill. Colonel Cavazos immediately led his other elements forward and engaged the enemy forces as they began assaulting the company. Constantly exposed to savage hostile fire and shrapnel from exploding grenades, he moved among his troops directing a counterattack. As the Viet Cong broke contact and fled to their fortified positions on the hillside, Colonel Cavazos called for air strikes and artillery fire on the crest and forward slopes of the hill in order to cut off the insurgents' line of retreat. When the fighting reached such close quarters that supporting fire could no longer be used, he completely disregarded his own safety and personally led a determined assault on the enemy positions. The assault was carried out with such force and aggressiveness that the Viet Cong were overrun and fled their trenches. Colonel Cavazos then directed artillery fire on the hilltop, and the insurgents were destroyed as they ran. His brilliant leadership in the face of grave danger resulted in maximum enemy casualties and the capture of many hostile weapons. Lieutenant Colonel Cavazos' extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."
Post-Vietnam
After Vietnam, Cavazos served as commander of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, and commander, 9th Infantry Division.
In 1976, Cavazos became the first Hispanic to reach the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army. In 1980, he became commander of III Corps — and is recognized for his innovative leadership of the Corps.
In 1982, Cavazos again made military history by being appointed the Army's first Hispanic four-star general. The same year, Cavazos assumed command of the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). His early support for the National Training Center and his involvement in the development of the Battle Command Training Program enormously influenced the war fighting capabilities of the U.S. Army.
On June 17, 1984, after thirty three years of distinguished service, General Cavazos retired from the U.S. Army."
From the Biography.com: (
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"Richard E. Cavazos: 1929—: U.S. Army General Biography - Became U.s. Army's First Hispanic General, Repeatedly Recognized For His Military Achievements
In 1976 Mexican American Richard E. Cavazos made military history by becoming the first Hispanic to attain the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army. Less than 20 years later, the native Texan would again make history by being appointed the Army's first Hispanic four-star general. It was a long way from Cavazos' days as a lieutenant with the 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. The 65th, comprised mostly of soldiers from Puerto Rico, was a minority unit similar to the African-American Tuskegee Airman of World War II. Though praised by General MacArthur who said of the 65th, "They are a credit to Puerto Rico and I am proud to have them in my command," according to a speech given by the Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera in 2000, the unit—called "The Borinqueneers" after an indigenous Puerto Rican Indian tribe—suffered racism and segregation away from the frontlines. According to Caldera, this took a "toll on the 65th, leaving scars that have yet to heal for so many of the regiment's proud and courageous soldiers." However, Cavazos rose above this racism, going on to become one of the most respected generals—Hispanic or otherwise—in the military. He also worked with military luminaries such as General Colin Powell and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, the latter of whom wrote in his autobiography, It Doesn't Take a Hero, that Cavazos was one of the finest division commanders he ever worked for.
Cavazos was born on January 31, 1929, in Kingsville, Texas, and raised on the King Ranch. He attended Texas Technological University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in geology in 1951. During college he was an active member of the ROTC program and through it received an officer's commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army on June 15, 1951. He topped off his degree with officer basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia and then completed Airborne School before heading off to Korea with the 65th Infantry. He joined Company E as a platoon leader and eventually became a company commander. Cavazos proved to be a fearless soldier. On February 25, 1953, Cavazos' platoon was attacked by a large enemy force. A fierce battle ensued, yet Company E managed to overcome the enemy. According to Frontiernet, as the battle was winding down, "By the light of a flare, Lieutenant Cavazos observed an enemy soldier lying wounded not far to the front of his position. He requested and obtained permission to lead a small force to secure the prisoner.
At a Glance . . .
Born on January 31, 1929, in Kingsville, TX; married with four children. Education: Texas Technological University, BS, geology, 1951; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1961; British Army Staff Coll, 1962; Armed Forces Staff Coll, 1965; United States Army War Coll, 1969. Military Service: US Army, four-star general, 1951-84.
Career: Career Army officer: Company E, 65th Infantry, Korean War, platoon leader and company commander, 1953; 1st Armored Division, executive officer, 1954; Texas Technological Univ, ROTC instructor, 1957; US Army Europe, West Germany, operations officer, 1960s; 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry, Vietnam War, commander, 1967; Concept Studies, U.S. Army Combat Developments Command Institute, director, 1969-70; Offense Section, Dept of Division Operations, Army Command and General Staff Coll, chief, 1970-71; Pentagon, defense attaché, Mexico, assistant deputy dir of operations, 1970s; Inter-American Region, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, dir, 1970s; 2nd Armored Division, asst div leader, 1976; 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Div, commander, 1976; 9th Infantry Div, commander, 1977-80; III Corps, commander, 1980-82; US Army Forces Command, commander, 1982-84.
Awards: Two Distinguished Service Crosses; two Legion of Merit awards; five Bronze Stars for Valor; Purple Heart; Combat Infantry Badge; Parachutist Badge; honorary lifetime member, National Guard Association of Texas; inductee, Fort Leavenworth Hall of Fame; inductee, Hall of Fame, Ranger Regiment Association; Doughboy Award, National Infantry Association, 1991."