In 1976 Mexican American Richard E. Cavazos made military history by becoming the first Hispanic to attain the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army. He was born on January 31, 1929 in Kingsville, Texas to a Mexican-American family. He attended Texas Technological University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in geology in 1951.During the Korean War, as a member of the 65th Infantry, Cavazos won the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions during an attack on Hill 142. Later, he attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the British Staff College and the Armed Forces Staff College.