Installation Renamings: The Story of Gen. Richard Cavazos

Fort Hood is now officially known as Fort Cavazos, bringing the Texas Army post’s more than 80 years under its former name to a close.

The installation’s new moniker honors Korean War and Vietnam War Veteran Gen. Richard Cavazos, the first Latino four-star general and first Latino brigadier general.

A Texas native, Cavazos commissioned into the Army in 1951. He deployed to Korea, serving as platoon leader of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, a largely Spanish-speaking group of Soldiers from Puerto Rico who were also known as the Borinqueneers.

In Korea, Cavazos earned the Distinguished Service Cross for the valor he displayed through a series of three charges against an enemy position. After the assaults, Cavazos, injured and alone, returned to the field five times to find and evacuate wounded men, only accepting medical treatment once he was confident the area had been cleared.

In Vietnam, Cavazos served as commander of 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment. He earned his second Distinguished Service Cross in October 1967 for leading a counterattack on Viet Cong troops after an ambush on one of his companies. After calling for air support to block off the enemy’s retreat, Cavazos, disregarding his own safety, led an assault on enemy positions, causing the hostile troops to flee the trenches of their well-fortified position.

Cavazos was promoted to brigadier general in 1973, becoming the III Corps Commanding General at Fort Hood in 1980. He received his fourth star in 1982, becoming commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, his final assignment before his retirement in 1984.

Preparing the Fort Cavazos Exchange for the name change affected nearly every directorate, including IT, MD, FA, Corporate Communication and more.

“Gen. Cavazos represents the heroism and valor that the Exchange is honored to serve and support,” said General Manager C.J. Morganfield. “We look forward to continuing to serve those who serve as the Fort Cavazos Exchange—here on post or wherever our troops may go across the world.”