[1] He left England for the United States in 1947, and in 1953 moved to the small farming community of Ballico, California to be with his stepfather, Ugo Cavaiani.

During a major enemy attack the next morning, he ordered the remaining men to escape while he stayed and provided suppressive fire to cover their retreat.

His other assignments included tours of duty in the Middle East, South America, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Cavaiani spent three years in Berlin, Germany as the Senior Operations Sergeant Major for British, French and U.S.

He graduated with honors from the culinary arts program in Columbia, California, where he and his wife Barbara lived.

Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 and 5 June 1971 while serving as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an isolated radio relay site located within enemy-held territory.

Cavaiani also returned heavy suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period with a variety of weapons.

The enemy force advanced in 2 ranks, first firing a heavy volume of small arms automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand grenades at the beleaguered force.

Cavaiani returned a heavy barrage of small arms and hand grenade fire on the assaulting enemy force but was unable to slow them down.

Cavaiani's valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety, the majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape.

Cavaiani's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S.