BIDEN POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDS GENERAL FORT CAVAZOS WITH MEDAL OF HONOR

The General Fort Cavazos is named after is receiving the Medal of Honor posthumously for recognition of his service during the Korean War. Furthermore, Gen. Cavazos isn’t the only Soldier being honored, as four other Veterans are also receiving the award for their roles serving our nation.

The General Fort Cavazos Was Named After Is Honored for His Service

Fort Cavazos is named after General Richard E. Cavazos following sweeping name changes within the American Armed Forces due to their connection to the Confederacy. Now, he’s being awarded the military’s highest honor due to his actions in the Korean War.

On January 3, 2025, Gen. Cavazos is one of five Veterans posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor. A fitting tribute some will argue took far too long for the Army’s first Hispanic Four-Star General.

How Richard E. Cavazos Earned the Medal of Honor

While he would go on to become a Four-Star General, in 1953, 1st Lt. Richard E. Cavazos served as a Commander in the 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.

Stationed near Sagimak, Korea, Cavazos helped lead men to safety while evacuating casualties under extreme circumstances and heavy enemy fire.

The night of June 14, 1953, would have Cavazos leading the mission to defend Outpost Harry on Hill 412 for three hours taking on enemy forces who were well prepared for their assault.

Finally, Cavazos was ordered to retreat; however, he decided to also stay behind and personally look for Soldiers in need of help.

In doing so, five casualties were found and led to safety one by one to a hill where friendly forces were able to rescue them. Furthermore, Cavazos helped locate another small group of Soldiers he also led to safety.

Furthermore, on a second trip through the Korean battlefield, Cavazos helped lead yet another group away from enemy fire into safety. He did all of this before treating his own wounds.

A Humble Man of Faith

Many who knew Gen. Cavazos, including co-workers, and family members, are celebrating the award.

While the great military leader hoped the award might come at some point, it wasn’t his goal to receive it.

Those who knew Gen. Cavazos point to his humility and faith as the reason why he was able to guide others through peril even when he meant putting himself in harm's way.

“The definition of a hero is an ordinary person who does an extraordinary job. I believe my father would assert that he was very much a humble, ordinary man who was a husband, a father, and a proud American,” said Tommy Cavazos.

Following his service in the Korean War, Cavazos served in Vietnam and eventually reached his Four-Star status in 1982.

General Fort Cavazos Is Not the Only Medal of Honor Recipient

In addition to Gen. Cavazos, many other Veterans are receiving upgrades to their awards and are receiving the Medal of Honor to begin 2025.

The reason for these upgrades is part of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which eliminated time limits that otherwise required such awards to happen within five years of their action in combat.

Pfc. Wataru Nakamura became a Soldier after being put into an internment camp during World War II in an attempt to prove to the U.S. that he was loyal.

Sadly, Pfc. Nakamura died on May 18, 1951, while attacking multiple machine gun nests in Korea with the 38th Infantry Regiment. He was successful on many targets; however, he was struck by an enemy grenade.

Connecticut-native Pfc. Charles Johnson saved 10+ Soldiers on June 11, 1953, who would include his high school classmate Donald Dingee, fighting in hand-to-hand combat while delivering needed supplies to his unit pinned down from enemy fire.

Cpl. Fred McGee of Steubenville, Ohio, served in Korea and ended up sustaining wounds on June 16, 1952, when attacked by enemy forces.

Despite this, McGee stayed behind, covered his unit with fire to protect them, and helped get wounded troops to safety. Efforts for Cpl. McGee to receive his Medal of Honor has been ongoing for some time.

Finally, Hawaii native Pvt. Bruno R. Orig fought back against racism against Asians at the time, to become a Soldier in 1950.

Months later, on February 15, 1951, Orig helped wounded troops evacuate a Korean battlefield while laying down machine gun fire to cover his platoon. Sadly, he would die in this effort, a true American hero whose legacy continues today.

These men endured a variety of hardships and sacrificed their own well-being for their fellow warfighters while serving our country.

Every one of them deserves the Medal of Honor and recognition for helping to keep our nation safe.

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