On Tuesday, the United States Army post located near Killeen, TX ceased to be Fort Hood and instead officially became Fort Cavazos – named to honor General Richard E. Cavazos, a native Texan, and the U.S. Army’s first Hispanic four-star general. The former Fort Hood was one of the U.S. Army installations that had been named for Confederate soldiers.
Though a graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point), Kentucky native John Bell Hood joined the Confederate Army shortly after the Battle of Fort Sumter that began the American Civil War. Eventually promoted to general, he led the Army of Tennessee including at the Battle of Atlanta, which ended in a Union victory.
Name Changes in Progress
The 218,000-plus acre Fort Hood is one of the 10 United States Army installations named for officers who fought for the Confederacy during the American Civil War. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 included a provision that all of those bases to be renamed. The Naming Commission, which was created by the United States Congress, had proposed a number of possible names for the installations.
The renaming of U.S. Army military bases had been a heated political debate during the Trump administration, and the former president had attempted to veto the 2021 NDAA, arguing that it would “throw those names away.” However, in the final days of his administration, Congress delivered its first and only veto override during his tenure. The legislation was approved with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Fort Hood is now the latest installation to be officially renamed.
Last month, the U.S. Army renamed Virginia’s Fort Lee military base in honor of Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams, two Black service members.
“Both Soldiers excelled in the field of sustainment and made significant contributions to #USArmy history,” the Army said in a tweet. “We’re proud to honor the courage, sacrifice, and diversity of these distinguished Soldiers and also our civilians.”
The Great Place
Even before its name change to Fort Cavazos this week, the Army installation had already been known as the Great Place. It was certainly the place to be on Tuesday as more than 400 dignitaries, military leaders, esteemed guests, and community members gathered on Sadowski Parade Field to commemorate the renaming ceremony and to honor General Cavazos. Several hundred more watched from remote viewing sites across the installation, while the ceremony was also live-streamed to a national audience.
“For over eight decades, this instillation has enjoyed the love and support of the Central Texas community,” said Gabe Camarillo, Under Secretary of the Army.
“A community that is quick to welcome newcomers, quick to offer a helping hand and quick to volunteer its services,” said Camarillo. “For over eight decades, the Great Place has been the installation of choice nestled very tightly within a community of choice. Now, given the importance of this installation for our Army and for our nation, I can think of no better namesake than General Richard Cavazos.”
Also in attendance were retired Lt. Col. James M. Tucker and retired Lt. Gen. Randolph W. House, who each served with Cavazos and recalled their service with humor and dedication.
Honoring a Son of Texas
Richard E. Cavazos was born on Jan. 31, 1929, in Kingsville, Texas, to Mexican American parents, Lauro and Thomasa Quintanilla Cavazos. His father was a U.S. military veteran of the First World War, and who later became a ranch foreman of the King Ranch’s Santa Gertrudis division.
Growing up in the Great Depression, Cavazos enrolled in the ROTC program at Texas Technical University and graduated in 1951. He was commissioned into the United States Army, and after attending the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Airborne Training, 1st Lieutenant Cavazos shipped out to Korea – serving as platoon leader of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment. The unit, which was made up of soldiers from Puerto Rico, many of whom only spoke Spanish, was known as the Borinqueneers.
By all accounts, Cavazos proved to be a qualified combat officer and a frontline leader and rallied his men to make three separate chargers at well-entrenched enemy positions. He returned to the field on five occasions to personally evacuate his wounded men before accepting treatment for his own injuries. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest military honor for valor, for his actions.
After teaching military science as part of the ROTC program at Texas Tech, then Lt. Col. Cavazos took command of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment in Vietnam, where he often lead his men from the front. In 1967, he was once again awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for rallying his men through an ambush, organizing a counterattack, and leading several maneuvers to repulse and destroy extensive enemy defenses, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire in the process.
During his military career, Cavazos was awarded two Legions of Merit, a Silver Star, five Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart, among other medals and awards.
In 1973, he became the first Hispanic-American promoted to brigadier general. He rose through the ranks, and in 1982, Cavazos earned his fourth general star. His final assignment was as head of the U.S. Army Forces Command. He retired in 1984 after 33 years of service. Cavazos died on October 29, 2017. He is buried at San Antonio’s Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
After nearly a year of preparation, this week the former Fort Hood was officially redesignated to Fort Cavazos.
