Congressional Hispanic Caucus Makes Recommendations to Rename Military Bases after Hispanic Servicemembers
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Yesterday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) sent a letter to United States Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III recommending Hispanic servicemembers for the renaming of Fort Hood and Fort Bragg. Earlier this year, the Commission on the Naming of Items of the Department of Defense That Commemorate the Confederate States of America or Any Person Who Served Voluntarily with the Confederate States of America was formed to remove all names, symbols, displays, monuments, and paraphernalia that honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America from all assets of the Department of Defense.
"Our recommendation is for Ft. Hood to be renamed after General Richard E. Cavazos, the first Mexican-American to reach the rank of four-star general," the Members wrote. "General Cavazos was raised in Kingsville, Texas, and served as a previous commander of III Corps headquartered at Ft. Hood. He overcame racism and other obstacles throughout his 33 years of service and eventually led the U.S. Army Forces Command, making him one of the highest-ranked Army officials of his time. General Cavazos' leadership and valor earned him the Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross awards for leading the famed Hispanic regiment, ‘The Borinqueneers,' during the Korean War. He also received the Distinguished Service Cross award for exposing himself to enemy fire and exploding grenades while commanding the 1st Battalion. Following his service, General Cavazos went on to serve on the Board of Regents of his alma mater, Texas Tech University. The CHC believes General Cavazos' lifelong commitment to the U.S. Army and to his community in Texas would make Ft. Cavazos a base that all Americans can be proud of.
"CHC's alternate recommendation is to name the base after two Texas heroes with strong connections to the community: Staff Sergeant Macario García and Private Marcelino Serna.Sergeant García and Private Serna were both Mexican immigrants who bravely served our country during a time of need, ultimately earning Sergeant García a Medal of Honor, and Private Serna a Distinguished Service Cross award. Yet despite their bravery and service to our country, both Sergeant García and Private Serna endured discrimination. In the case of Sergeant García, he was attacked at a Texas restaurant for simply being Mexican, and Private Serna regrettably encountered discrimination throughout his career. Nevertheless, Private Serna was one of the most decorated soldiers in World War I and received a Distinguished Service Cross award, as well as numerous foreign service awards for his dispatching and capture of enemy soldiers. Unfortunately, Private Serna was never awarded the Medal of Honor he rightfully deserved due to his Hispanic heritage. In the opinion of the CHC, it is far past time that the DoD honor these Latino servicemen's service to our country, including by considering renaming Ft. Hood in their honor.
"Further, the CHC also recommends that the Commission consider renaming Ft. Hood after Specialist Vanessa Guillen.Spc. Guillen served at Ft. Hood in the Regiment Engineer Squadron under the 3rd Cavalry Regiment where she was responsible for small arms and artillery repair. Tragically Spc. Guillen lost her life in 2020, but her death has been a catalyst for long awaited reforms at DoD concerning sexual assaults and sexual harassment. Her death also inspired the Vanessa Guillen Act, a bill which removes the commander from the chain of command when it comes to sexual crimes and assigns a separate team of trained lawyers. Spc. Guillen's career was cut short, but the impact she made will last for generations and will ensure women who elect to serve can do so honorably and without fear for their safety."
The letter was signed by CHC leadership: Chair Raul Ruiz, M.D., 1st Vice-Chair Nanette Barragán, 2nd Vice-Chair Adriano Espaillat, Whip Darren Soto, and Freshman Representative Teresa Leger Fernández.
Full text of the letter can be found HERE.
###
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.