Fort Hood swaps Confederate name in honor of American hero Gen. Richard Edward Cavazos
FORT HOOD (CBSNewsTexas) - Fort Hood will soon officially redesignate to Fort Cavazos in honor of Texas-born hero of the Korean and Vietnam wars, Gen. Richard Edward Cavazos.
The name change happens on May 9 at the III Armored Corps Headquarters. Fort Hood is the home of the 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.
The post is one of nine U.S. Army installations the Naming Commission has recommended redesignating based on its name linked to symbols, displays, monuments and paraphernalia commemorating the Confederate States of America.
Watch live video of the event here.
"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 and the first Hispanic to reach the rank of four-star general in our Army. 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, 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."
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.
In 1951, Cavazos was commissioned into the Army and completed basic officer training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He began his military career deployed to Korea where he was the platoon leader of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment. The unit was known as the Borinqueneers and was primarily made up of soldiers from Puerto Rico, many of whom only spoke Spanish. As a result of his service and actions in Korea, Cavazos was awarded the Silver Star and a Distinguished Service Cross.
In 1953, Cavazos rotated back to the United States and was assigned to Fort Hood. Reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel, Cavazos deployed to Vietnam in 1967 where he commanded the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment. It was as a result of his service and leadership during his time in Vietnam that he was awarded his second Distinguished Service Cross.
After being promoted to brigadier general in 1973 and continuing to rise throughout the decade, Cavazos commanded the 9th Infantry Division back in Central Texas.
In 1980, now a lieutenant general, Cavazos served as the III Corps Commanding General.
In 1982, Cavazos was promoted to become the first Hispanic four-star general and succeeded Gen. Robert Shoemaker as commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command.
Cavazos retired from the Army in 1984 after 33 years of service.
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.