Visitors flows previous a welcome signal at Fort Hood, which is being renamed in honor of Richard Edward Cavazos, the Military’s first Hispanic four-star common.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
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Tony Gutierrez/AP
Visitors flows previous a welcome signal at Fort Hood, which is being renamed in honor of Richard Edward Cavazos, the Military’s first Hispanic four-star common.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
One of many U.S. army’s largest bases has been renamed after the Military’s first Hispanic four-star common.
Fort Hood, situated about 70 miles north of Austin, Texas, was redesignated on Tuesday as Fort Cavazos in honor of the late Gen. Richard Edward Cavazos, a Texas native who served within the Korean and Vietnam wars.
“Common Cavazos’ fight confirmed management, his ethical character and his loyalty to his Troopers and their households made him the fearless but revered and influential chief that he was in the course of the time he served, and past,” Lt. Gen. Sean Bernabe, III Armored Corps Commanding Common, mentioned in an announcement.
“We’re prepared and excited to be a part of such a momentous a part of historical past, whereas we honor a pacesetter who all of us admire,” Bernabe added.
The redesignation is a part of an effort by the Division of Protection to rename army bases and different websites with titles linked to members of the Confederacy.
A slew of army installations and 9 Military bases are getting new names, together with Fort Hood, which was named after the Accomplice Gen. John Bell Hood, who commanded troops in the course of the Civil Warfare.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus and different supporters had urged the army to rename the bottom after Cavazos, who was raised in Kingsville, Texas, and commanded troops at Fort Hood.
Born to Mexican-American mother and father, Cavazos was commissioned to the Military after graduating from highschool and went to combat within the Korean Warfare. There, he was a member of the Borinqueneers, a famed unit of largely Spanish-speaking Puerto Rican troopers. He later led troops within the Vietnam Warfare.
Cavazos earned the Silver Star and two Distinguished Service Cross awards for his service in the course of the two conflicts — for actions reminiscent of evacuating wounded troopers earlier than having his personal accidents handled in the course of the Korean Warfare and exposing himself to enemy fireplace whereas main assaults within the Vietnam Warfare.
“I really consider that a whole lot of us received house due to the way in which he performed himself,” Melvin “Courageous” Brav, who served below Cavazos, instructed the San Antonio Categorical-Information.
Cavazos finally ascended to the rank of four-star common and led the U.S. Military Forces Command, making him one of many highest-ranked Military officers on the time.
He died in 2017 at age 88 after battling Alzheimer’s illness.
Advocates say they hope the set up’s new identify may even usher in a brand new tradition on the troubled base. An official evaluation following the 2020 homicide of Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillén discovered that management on the base was “permissive of sexual harassment and sexual assault” and led to the punishment of 14 officers.
