Traffic flows previous a welcome signal at Fort Hood, which is being renamed in honor of Richard Edward Cavazos, the Army’s first Hispanic four-star normal.

Tony Gutierrez/AP

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Tony Gutierrez/AP

Traffic flows previous a welcome signal at Fort Hood, which is being renamed in honor of Richard Edward Cavazos, the Army’s first Hispanic four-star normal.

Tony Gutierrez/AP

One of the U.S. army’s largest bases has been renamed after the Army’s first Hispanic four-star normal.

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.

“General Cavazos’ combat proven leadership, his moral character and his loyalty to his Soldiers and their families made him the fearless yet respected and influential leader that he was during the time he served, and beyond,” Lt. Gen. Sean Bernabe, III Armored Corps Commanding General, said in a statement.

“We are ready and excited to be part of such a momentous part of history, while we honor a leader who we all admire,” Bernabe added.

The redesignation is a part of an effort by the Department of Defense to rename army bases and different websites with titles linked to members of the Confederacy.

A slew of army installations and 9 Army bases are getting new names, together with Fort Hood, which was named after the Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood, who commanded troops during the Civil War.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus and other 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 dad and mom, Cavazos was commissioned to the Army after graduating from highschool and went to struggle within the Korean War. 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 War.

Cavazos earned the Silver Star and two Distinguished Service Cross awards for his service throughout the two conflicts — for actions corresponding to evacuating wounded troopers earlier than having his personal accidents handled throughout the Korean War and exposing himself to enemy hearth whereas main assaults within the Vietnam War.

“I truly believe that a lot of us got home because of the way he conducted himself,” Melvin “Brave” Brav, who served underneath Cavazos, instructed the San Antonio Express-News.

Cavazos finally ascended to the rank of four-star normal and led the U.S. Army Forces Command, making him one of many highest-ranked Army 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 also usher in a new culture at the troubled base. An official evaluate 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.