Texan Awarded Medal of Honor for Heroism in Korean War

Will the Texas GOP continue calling for his name to be removed from Fort Cavazos in favor of a Confederate General?

Richard Cavazos as a US Army Major while serving in combat in Vietnam. Photo by US Army

General Richard Cavazos - for whom Fort Cavazos in Killeen, Texas is named - has been posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Cavazos - who was raised on the legendary King Ranch in South Texas - as the son of a Kineño (Spanish for "Kings People") who went on to become a ranch foreman - was the first Hispanic-American to attain the rank of a Four Star General in 1982 before retiring two years later after thirty years of service. He passed away in 2017.

I knew General Cavazos - and, when I wrote about him in 2023, I noted that "the accounts of his heroism which led to (two Distinguisher Cross) medals read more like a description of actions worthy of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but that is another discussion for another time."

Now that time has come.

General Richard E. Cavazos of Kingsville, Texas has been posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Photo by US Army

Here is the US Army's account of his actions which have finally been recognized with the nation's highest military honor:

"Then-1st Lt. Richard E. Cavazos distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, while serving as the commander of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, on June 14-15, 1953, in the vicinity of Sagimak, Korea. On the night of June 14, Cavazos led his company during a raid on an entrenched enemy outpost with the mission of destroying the personnel and installation.

Richard Cavazos as a 1st Lieutenant in 1950. Photo by US Army

During the initial attack, Cavazos led his men through intense enemy mortar and artillery fire. ​Upon entering the trenches, fierce close combat ensued, and Cavazos directed heavy fire on the enemy and their positions. When an extremely intense enemy mortar and artillery barrage hit his position, Cavazos withdrew the company and regrouped his men. Twice more he led his men through intense enemy fire during assaults on the enemy position, destroying vital fortifications and personnel. During the entire assault, Cavazos gave effective commands and words of encouragement to his men and inspired them to heroic heights of achievement through his personal example and leadership.

When ordered to withdraw his company, Cavazos complied but remained alone on the enemy outpost to search for missing men. While exposed to enemy fire, he located five casualties and evacuated them, 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 men were still missing, Cavazos again returned to the scene of the battle and led another small group of men to safety.​

Cavazos then made two more unassisted trips to the battlefield, searching for missing soldiers. When he was satisfied that the battlefield was cleared on the morning of June 15, he finally allowed his own combat wounds to be treated.

Then-1st Lt. 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.​"

According to a former Army medic who served alongside Cavazos in Korea his insistence on returning to the scene of the battle to heroically rescue his men (after being given orders to withdraw) was almost met with a court-martial until an officer higher up in the chain of command wisely intervened. (That bit of military history is missing from the US Army's official account of events).

Fort Cavazos - named for General Richard Cavazos - in Killeen, Texas. Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christian Nevitt

I am glad to see General Cavazos finally get the proper recognition for his bravery and devotion to his troops.

Now that he has received the Medal of Honor I can't help but wonder if the Texas GOP will rescind the resolution they adopted during their State Convention going into the 2024 Memorial Day Weekend to rename Fort Cavazos for Confederate General John Bell Hood for whom it was originally named in 1942. (You can read more about that HERE.)

One can only hope.

Should the U.S. Army base in Killeen be renamed for John Bell Hood or remain named for Medal of Honor Recipient and Native Texan Richard Edward Cavazos?

Feel free to share your opinion in the comments on this article,

Abrazos,

Jack Beavers

Jack Beavers - US Border News