richard cavazos, a mexican-american, was born on january 31, 1929 in kingsville, texas. his brother is former u.s. secretary of education (1988-1990) lauro cavazos. he graduated as the distinguished graduate from the rotc program at texas technological university in 1951. he then earned a b.s. degree in geology from texas technological college (now texas tech university) in 1951, where he played on the football team and was a distinguished graduate of the rotc program. he received further military education at the u.s. army command and staff college, the british army staff college, the armed forces staff college, and the u.s. army war college. he received basic officer training at fort benning, georgia, followed by training at airborne school. he then deployed to korea with the 65th infantry.