Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

His Obituary: Distinguished Service Cross, Korean War as 1st Lieutenant
Second Distinguished Service Cross, Viet Nam as Lt. Colonel

Richard was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, U.S. Army in 1951 upon graduation from
Texas Tech University with a degree in Geology

In Korea, commander of 65th Infantry Regiment

In Viet Nam, commander of 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Division

Twice awarded Distinguished Service Cross, twice awarded Silver Star, five times
Bronze Star with V device and 29 other medals, including Purple Heart

Promoted to 4-star general in 1982, and retired to live in San Antonio in 1984
He is a member of the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame, Ft. Leavenworth Hall of Fame, Texas Tech University Hall of Fame (football), and Distinguished Alumni, Texas Tech University

So, why am I posting a fishing story about this famous Mexican American general? In 1958, I had just finished my active duty in the U.S. Air Force and returned home. Shortly after, I began a partnership and established the North Texas Marine dealership in Gainesville, Texas.

I believe it was in the spring of 1959, or perhaps 1960, that then Major Richard Cavazos came into our shop with a 10 hp Evinrude motor for us to try and repair. Richard had grown up on the King Ranch in South Texas but had married a girl from Gainesville. He explained that in Korea when the company that was holding Pork Chop Hill were surrounded and about to be wiped out, he led his company to their rescue. Later, that officer became famous with motion picture contracts, gifts and such, so he gave his old outboard motor to Richard. He wanted to have it repaired so he could go fishing. Since he got a month’s leave each year, he had lots of time.

We put the motor back in running condition and since Richard knew little or nothing about fishing, I gave him several lures and explained how each should be fished. So, and his wife go to Lake Texoma and rent a small boat to use with their motor. They get out in the lake, and Richard opens his tackle box. His wife immediately saw a Bomber Slab and since it was as colorful as an Easter Egg, she said put that one on my line. He then tried to explain that that was not a good choice as it would twist her line since they were trolling. She said, “I don’t care, tie it on!”

He came in the shop the next day, faking anger. He said I hardly got to fish at all because she was catching so many sand bass, I would have to take them off her line, and get her lure back in the water, I never had any time left!

I kept up with General Cavazos over the years and heard that he had retired. Then when Iraq invaded Kuwait, he wanted to get back into the conflict so badly, he would be faxing battle plans for armored warfare to the Pentagon almost daily. He kept asking to be allowed to come back to get involved. They kept telling him “It’s under control!” A real soldier! Just Sayin…

wellfield Loc: Long Beach,California

Great story!.....Great General!

troyfrd1 Loc: Hampstead,NC

Great story when I enlisted Gen Chappie James was commander then when I was station at Fort Campbell our CSM fought Hamburger Hill and he had some wonderful stories and while we fished. I fished Lake Texhoma a few time it is a very large lake

JimRed Loc: Coastal New Jersey, Belmar area

Command of a Regiment in Korea only 4 years after commissioning? That guy was a star!

Rest in peace, general.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yep, war will do that sometimes. In WW II there were some very young 22 and 23 year old Majors and Cols in the U.S. Army Air Corps.! Just Sayin...RJS

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

Awesome story RJ
I am reading a book at the moment titled "The Matt Urban Story" a WW2 hero who when he finally got his Congressional Medal Of Honor in 1980 for his heroism on the battle at Normandy! With that medal he now had one more than another great solder AUDIE MURPHY for the most combat decorated soldier. I ordered the book on Amazon first from a seller that informed me that the book was damaged in shipment so they were refunding my money. So I went to another seller and got it and was pleasantly surprised that it was signed by Lt. Colonel Matt Urban! His final wound was from being shot thru the neck destroying his ability to Talk. His first action was in the landing force in Africa facing the French Foreign Legion, Vichy french and Rommel. He was 9th Infantry under Patton.
Kerry

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

Guessing that other officer was Audie Murphy, am I right

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yep, Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier in WW II. Just Sayin...RJS

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

GEN Cavazos was a platoon leader and later a company commander of Company E, 65th Infantry Regiment.

beardman Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

Thanks for the story. RIP and,thanks to all veterans for your service. That is what made this country great

herman49

I had a cousin that was a paratrooper and made 3 jumps in combat. He must of had a guardian angelwith him all the time cause he neve got a scratch. He wasn't irish.

Katriniagirl Loc: Jensen Beach Florida

My dad was at pork chop hill

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

That was a real “character builder”. Thanks for his service.

HosChap Loc: Deland, FL

RJS, I had a patient who was a WW2 vet. He always like history channel stuff on the war. I asked him if he served, he said yes. He said I was a supply clerk, never did much. I loved the guy, humble man. I did his funeral and celebrated his life. His family showed me his service record. He was in the Battle if the Bulge and had earned 3 bronze stars and 2 silver stars for valor! What an amazing supply clerk. Amazing men have served our country. I am so privileged to know many of them. Character and love for this great country beyond our comprehension.

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

James Michener wrote many books including the Bridges at Toko-Ri. Near the end of that book when a lot of WW 2 carrier pilots who had been recalled for the Korean War had been shot down a very American truism was pronounced by the admiral on the flag bridge. He turned to the air boss who told him of the losses but pyrrhic victory and said "where do we get such men?"
I worked for men and commanded men that Vietnam was their third war and they weren't 45 yet.