Honoring Richard Cavazos, The First Hispanic Four-Star General

For the first time, nine U.S. military bases, ports, ships, and streets have been renamed, following a careful review process conducted by the Renaming Commission, a body created by the United States Congress in 2021. Stemming from this process, the third largest U.S. military base, located in Killeen, Texas, now honors General Richard Cavazos, the first Hispanic American person to achieve the rank of a four-star general. A sixth-generation Texan born to Mexican American parents, General Cavazos served in the military for 33 years, including the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Because of this, he earned multiple service awards, including two Distinguished Service Crosses, a Silver Star, five Bronze Stars and a Purple heart. Fort Cavazos is officially the first military base named after a military hero of Hispanic heritage.

Join us for a conversation with Michelle J. Howard, a retired United States Navy four-star admiral, the first African American woman to command a ship in the Navy, a former GW professor, and the Chair of the Naming Commission. She will detail the progress achieved by the Renaming Commission and the work that lies ahead.