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GEN (Ret) Richard Cavazos
General Richard E. Cavazos is a 1949 graduate of North Texas Agricultural College who is honored for his professional achievements during a long and illustrious military career, which led him to his final rank of General in the U.S. Army. During the period 1947 to 1949, he attended the University when it was North Texas Agricultural College, better known as NTAC, and participated as a member of the Corps of Cadets. He was a member of the renowned Crack Drill Team, the Sam Houston Rifles. He reached the rank of Cadet Captain and served as a Cadet Company Commander.
Following completion of his ROTC training and graduation from NTAC, he transferred to Texas Tech University to complete his college degree. He graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry as a distinguished Military Graduate. General Cavazos’ military career took him from leading an infantry platoon in combat to commanding an entire Army Corps. He began by leading a platoon and commanding a company during the Korean War. Later in Vietnam, he commanded an infantry battalion of the 1st Infantry Division. Following Vietnam, he commanded a brigade of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, and later was the Assistant Division Commander of the 2d Armored Division at Fort Hood. He was the Commanding General of the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington.
In February 1980, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and assumed command of the U.S. Army III Corps and the largest installation in the Southwest, Fort Hood, Texas. In addition to the troop duty assignments, he served on both the Department of the Army and Department of Defense staffs. He was a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College, Command and General Staff College, Army War College, and the British Army Staff College.
General Cavazos’ final military assignment was command of the U.S. Army Forces Command. “His early support for the National Training Center and his involvement in the development of the Battle Command Training Program enormously influenced the war-fighting capabilities of the U.S. Army.”
General Cavazos retired in 1984 after 33 years of Army service, continuing to mentor young general officers. Among his many honors, he was inducted in 1993 into Fort Leavenworth’s Command and General Staff College Hall of Fame.
On January 3, 2025, General Cavazos was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration, for his extraordinary heroism during the Korean War. As a First Lieutenant commanding Company E, 2d Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, he led his men in a relentless assault on an entrenched enemy outpost on June 14–15, 1953, in Sagimak, Korea. Under withering mortar and artillery fire, he repeatedly led his troops in close combat, directing fire and inspiring them with his leadership. Despite sustaining wounds, he refused evacuation, instead conducting multiple solo rescue missions, personally recovering wounded soldiers and ensuring every man was accounted for before tending to his own injuries. His conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty reflect the highest traditions of military service. For the full Medal of Honor citation, visit: https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/richard-e-cavazos
He is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations. Most noteworthy is the fact that he was twice decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, the Nation’s second-highest award for gallantry in action. He also received the Silver Star (2 awards), Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit (2 awards), Bronze Star Medal (5 awards), Air Medal, and the Purple Heart. He also proudly wore the Combat Infantryman’s Badge with Star to signify his role in combat as an Infantryman during two conflicts.
General Cavazos was honored as a Distinguished Alumni by The University of Texas at Arlington in 1975. His performance as a cadet in the Corps of Cadets at North Texas Agricultural College and his subsequent achievements in the U.S. Army have brought great credit and recognition upon himself, The University of Texas at Arlington, and the U.S. Army.
General Cavazos passed away on October 29, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 88.