Entered Service: June 1951

In 1982, Hispanic-American Richard E. Cavazos made military history by being appointed the Army's first Hispanic four-star general. Born on January 31, 1929, in Kingsville, Texas, and raised on a ranch, he attended Texas Technological University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in geology in 1951. During college he was an active member of the ROTC program and through it received an officer's commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army on June 15, 1951.

During the Korean War, then Lieutenant Cavazos received one of the military's highest honors, the Distinguished Service Cross, for his heroic actions during a battle in 1953. By February 1967, the Vietnam War was underway and Cavazos ' who had since achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel ' was appointed commander of the 1st Battalion of the 18th Infantry Division. In September and October of that year, Cavazos' unit engaged in heavy sporadic fighting near the border of Cambodia culminating in a ferocious two-day assault ' now known as the Battle of Loc Ninh ' during which the 1st Battalion lost five Soldiers. In contrast, the enemy troops suffered over 100 deaths. For his personal actions during these battles Cavazos received his second Distinguished Service Cross.

After Vietnam, Cavazos served as commander of main units and in 1982, now General Cavazos assumed 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' career exemplifies unparalleled devotion to duty. On June 17, 1984, Cavazos retired after a brilliant military career that spanned three decades.