Hispanic Heritage Month: Honoring Fort Cavazos’s Namesake

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas ( FOX 44 ) — Distinguished, innovative, decorated and distinguished – all understatements describing a military hero – the late Army four-star general Richard Cavazos. We also honor him as trailblazer, and it’s all in a name change – of our Central Texas Army post, which previously called Fort Hood, from 1942 until 2023.

That name change may have been nearly a year-and-a-half ago right here on the Army’s largest post population wise that calls Central Texas home, but the impact of the renaming of this proud post still has impactful meaning today.

In an historic move that resonated throughout the Hispanic community, Fort Hood was renamed Fort Cavazos, made official in this ceremony on May 9, 2023, but took effect on September 5, 2023 – a fitting tribute to a man who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the highest-ranking Hispanic officers in the U.S. Army – in fact, the first Hispanic to earn the rank of four-star general.

“Given the importance of this installation for our Army and for our nation, I can think of no other namesake than General Richard Cavazos. Now, I didn’t know General Cavazos, but I wish I had,” said Lt. General Sean Bernabe, who was III Corps Commander from 2022 until mid-2024.

Born in Kingsville, Texas, in 1932, Cavazos was one of 11 children. Growing up during the Great Depression, he faced significant challenges but overcame them through hard work and determination. Cavazos enlisted in the Army in 1951, serving in Korea and Vietnam. His exceptional leadership and combat skills earned him numerous awards and promotions – most notably:

• The Distinguished Service Cross citation and Silver Star during the Korean War in 1953
• His 2nd Distinguished Service Cross citation during the Viet Nam war in 1967
• He became first Hispanic to earn rank of Brigadier General in 1976,
• And the first Hispanic to become a four-star general in 1982
  

General Cavazos would retire from the U.S. Army in 1984 – after 33-years of distinguished service.

There was plenty of applause during the renaming ceremony in May of 2024 — some of that applause for a career of hard work and perseverance, anyone can achieve their dreams, an inspiration to many who took a similar path.

“I also want to point out that I myself, as a Texas native, grew up in El Paso, (with) similar Mexican American heritage, who also understood what it was like to grow up in these communities and to be a part of them. So, it’s a real privilege to be a part of honoring somebody with a similar background, “said Gabe Camarillo, the U.S. Army Under Secretary.

And honoring the late general Cavazos for the authentic man he was.

“Although General Cavazos is certainly worthy of all the pomp & circumstances of this special day, his family made very clear to us that he would have never wanted this recognition,” Camarillo added. “He knew there were many other deserving heroes whose names will never adorn an Army base, and who never made it home from Korea or Viet Nam. But this in many ways was who General Cavazos was – selfless without condition, motivated by a deep love for his family, his soldiers and his country. And, those values live on.”

General Cavazos passed away in 2017, and was buried with full military honors at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

As we reflect on the life and legacy of General Richard Cavazos, we are reminded of his unwavering commitment to service, his courage in the face of adversity, and his enduring impact on the Hispanic community. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and a reminder that even in the most challenging of circumstances, it is possible to make a lasting difference.

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