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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
-
Medal of Honor
-
Silver Star
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Medal of Honor
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry)Batallion:
2nd BattalionRegiment:
65th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3rd Infantry DivisionAction 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, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard E. Cavazos, United States Army. First Lieutenant Cavazos distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, while serving as the Company Commander, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, on June 14 – 15, 1953, in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. On the night of June 14, First Lieutenant Cavazos led his company in a raid on an entrenched enemy outpost with the mission of destroying the personnel and installation thereon. During the initial attack, First Lieutenant Cavazos led his men through intense enemy mortar and artillery fire. Upon entering the trenches, fierce close combat ensued during which First Lieutenant Cavazos directed heavy fire on the enemy and their positions. When an extremely intense enemy mortar and artillery barrage hit his position, First Lieutenant Cavazos withdrew the company and regrouped his men. Twice more he led his men through intense enemy fire in assaults on the enemy position, destroying vital enemy fortifications and personnel. During the entire assault, First Lieutenant Cavazos gave effective commands and words of encouragement to his men and by his personal example and leadership inspired them to heroic heights of achievement. When ordered to withdraw his company, First Lieutenant Cavazos complied but remained alone on the enemy outpost to search for missing men. Although exposed to enemy fire, First Lieutenant Cavazos located five battle casualties and evacuated each, one by one, to a point on the reverse slope of a nearby hill where they could be safely recovered by friendly forces. Returning to the battlefield, he found a small group of men who had become separated from the main assaulting force and personally led them to safety. When informed that there were still men missing, First Lieutenant Cavazos again returned to the scene of the battle where he located and led another small group of men to safety. First Lieutenant Cavazos then made two more unassisted trips to the battlefield searching for missing soldiers. Not until he was personally satisfied that the battlefield was cleared on the morning of June 15, did he allow treatment of his own combat wounds sustained during the action. First Lieutenant Cavazos’ conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
65th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction 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.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry)Batallion:
2d BattalionRegiment:
65th Infantry RegimentDivision:
3d Infantry DivisionAction 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.