Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Richard
E.
Cavazos
January 31, 1929

–

October 29, 2017

Cemetery:

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

In 1976 Richard E. Cavazos became the first Hispanic to attain the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army. Less than 6 years later he again made history by being appointed the Army’s first Hispanic four-star general.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    65th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 25, 1953
    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 194 (June 18, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard E. Cavazos (ASN: 0-64593), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During the early morning hours of 25 February 1953, Company E, 2d Battalion, of which Lieutenant Cavazos was a platoon leader, was attacked by a large enemy force in the vicinity of Sangdong-Ni, Korea. The friendly company repulsed the hostile assault and inflicted numerous casualties. 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. Intense enemy mortar and small arms fire completely blanketed the route to be covered. Nevertheless, Lieutenant Cavazos, with complete disregard for his personal safety, continued alone through the enemy fire to capture and return with the enemy soldier. Lieutenant Cavazos’ outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    65th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    June 14, 1953
    Headquarters, EIGHTH U.S. Army, Korea, General Orders No. 832 (September 10, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard E. Cavazos (ASN: 0-64593), United States 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. The courage, indomitable fortitude, and inspiring leadership displayed by Lieutenant Cavazos reflect the highest credit on himself and the United States Army.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    1st Battalion

    Regiment:

    18th Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade

    Division:

    1st Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    October 30, 1967
    Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6479 (December 17, 1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Richard E. Cavazos (ASN: 0-64593), United States 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.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    65th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    May 16, 1953
    Headquarters, 3d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 204 (June 24, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard E. Cavazos (ASN: 0-64593), United States Army, for heroic achievement during ground operations against a hostile force as a member of Company E, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy in Korea. During the early morning hours of 16 May 1953, in the vicinity of Songnae-dong, Korea, a friendly unit holding a defensive position on Outpost “Harry” was subjected to an intense enemy artillery and mortar barrage followed by a numerically superior hostile attack. The communications to the besieged friendly unit were destroyed by the heavy shelling. Lieutenant Cavazos, with complete disregard for his personal safety, voluntarily went forward to check and repair the lines to the outpost. While advancing through the devastated area, checking the communications wires, he was subjected to constant enemy fire. At times, his path came within close proximity of the attacking hostile soldiers, but he continued forward until he reached the outpost. As a result of his actions, the vital communications was restored. Lieutenant Cavazos’ outstanding heroism and devotion to duty reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.