He was a Korean War recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross as a first lieutenant and advanced in rank to become the United States Army's first Hispanic four-star general.

[5] Cavazos' Korean War Distinguished Service Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor and posthumously awarded to him on 3 January 2025.

Lieutenant Colonel Cavazos distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 30 October 1967 while, as battalion commander, he led his unit on a search and destroy operation in a large rubber plantation near Loc Ninh.

One of his companies was making a reconnaissance when it suddenly began receiving heavy fire from a Viet Cong battalion in well-entrenched positions on the slope of a hill.

Constantly exposed to savage hostile fire and shrapnel from exploding grenades, he moved among his troops directing a counterattack.

As the Viet Cong broke contact and fled to their fortified positions on the hillside, Colonel Cavazos called for air strikes and artillery fire on the crest and forward slopes of the hill in order to cut off the insurgents' line of retreat.

When the fighting reached such close quarters that supporting fire could no longer be used, he completely disregarded his own safety and personally led a determined assault on the enemy positions.

On the night of June 14, First Lieutenant Cavazos led his company in a raid on an entrenched enemy outpost with the mission of destroying the personnel and installation thereon.

Upon entering the trenches, fierce close combat ensued during which First Lieutenant Cavazos directed heavy fire on the enemy and their positions.

When an extremely intense enemy mortar and artillery barrage hit his position, First Lieutenant Cavazos withdrew the company and regrouped his men.

During the entire assault, First Lieutenant Cavazos gave effective commands and words of encouragement to his men and by his personal example and leadership inspired them to heroic heights of achievement.

Although exposed to enemy fire, First Lieutenant Cavazos located five battle casualties and evacuated each, one by one, to a point on the reverse slope of a nearby hill where they could be safely recovered by friendly forces.

Returning to the battlefield, he found a small group of men who had become separated from the main assaulting force and personally led them to safety.

First Lieutenant Cavazos' conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.The 2021 Defense Authorization Act directed the removal of names that "honor or commemorate the Confederate States of America."