Richard E . Cavazos Richard Edward Cavazos ( born January 31 , 1929 ) , a Korean War recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross as a first lieutenant , who advanced in rank to become the United States Army ' s first Mexican American four - star general . During the Vietnam War , as a lieutenant colonel , Cavazos was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross . In 1976 , Cavazos became the first Mexican American to reach the rank of brigadier general in the U . S . Army . Cavazos served with great distinction for thirty - three years , with his final command as head of the U . S . Army Forces Command . Biography . Richard Cavazos , a Mexican - American was born on January 31 , 1929 in Kingsville , Texas . He graduated from the North Texas Agricultural College ( now the University of Texas at Arlington ) ROTC program in 1949 . He then earned a B . S . degree in geology from Texas Technological College ( now Texas Tech University ) in 1951 , where he played on the football team and was a distinguished graduate of the ROTC program . He received further military education at the U . S . Army Command and Staff College , the British Army Staff College , the Armed Forces Staff College , and the U . S . Army War College . He received basic officer training at Fort Benning , Georgia , followed by training at Airborne School . He then deployed to Korea with the 65th Infantry . Korean War . During the Korean War , as a member of the 65th Infantry , a unit of mostly Puerto Rican natives , he distinguished himself , receiving the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions . On February 25 , 1953 , Cavazos ' Company E was attacked by the enemy . During the fight against a numerically superior enemy force , Cavazos distinguished himself and received the Silver Star for his actions . His company was able to emerge victorious from the battle . On June 14 , 1953 , Cavazos again distinguished himself during an attack on Hill 142 , and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions on that day . Distinguished Service Cross citation ( first award ) . On September 10 , 1953 , per General Orders No . 832 , Cavazos was awarded his first Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Korean War . His citation reads : Vietnam War . In February 1967 , Cavazos , then a lieutenant colonel , became commander of the 1st Battalion , 18th Infantry . In October and November 1967 , his battalion was engaged in fighting near the Cambodian border . During an attack at Loc Ninh in October 1967 , his unit was able to repulse the enemy . For his valiant leadership at Loc Ninh , he was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross . Distinguished Service Cross citation ( second award ) . On December 17 , 1967 , per General Orders No . 6479 , Lieutenant Colonel Cavazos was awarded his second Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on October 30 , 1967 . His citation reads : Post - Vietnam . After Vietnam , Cavazos served as commander of the 2nd Brigade , 1st Infantry Division , and commander , 9th Infantry Division . In 1976 , Cavazos became the first Hipananic to reach the rank of brigadier general in the U . S . Army . In 1980 , he became commander of III Corps — and is recognized for his innovative leadership of the Corps . In 1982 , Cavazos again made military history by being appointed the Army ' s first Hispanic four - star general . The same year , Cavazos assumed command of the U . S . Army Forces Command ( FORSCOM ) . 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 . On June 17 , 1984 , after thirty three years of distinguished service , General Cavazos retired from the U . S . Army . In retirement . In 1985 , General Cavazos was appointed to the Chemical Warfare Review Committee by President Reagan . Cavazos served on the Board of Regents of his alma mater , Texas Tech University . Personal . General Cavazos is married and has four children . He resides in San Antonio Texas . He is the brother of Lauro Cavazos , former Texas Tech University President and former U . S . Secretary of Education . Awards and decorations . General Cavazos ' military awards include two Distinguished Service Crosses , a Silver Star , two Legion of Merit awards , five Bronze Stars , the Purple Heart , the Combat Infantryman Badge , a Parachutist Badge . Cavazos has also been awarded an honorary lifetime membership in the National Guard Association of Texas ; was inducted into the Fort Leavenworth Hall of Fame and Ranger Regiment Association Hall of Fame ; and received the Doughboy Award of National Infantry Association , 1991 .