Honoring Veterans: Air Force Veteran Gavino Cavazos

Gavino Cavazos, nicknamed Gabby, was born in 1932, just seven years before World War II started. Cavazos attended St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville, Texas, and enlisted in the Air Force in June 1949 when he was 17. After training camp, he went on to his first assignment in Washington. His next station was in Japan during the American occupation after World War II in 1950. 

Much of Cavazos’ job involved flying in aircraft to test if they were ready for combat by doing different maneuvers and evaluating specific components. Flying was essential to his career during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Cavazos burned aircraft to prevent enemy intelligence from discovering their technology in the Korean War. He also flew on reconnaissance missions to locate different types of equipment and find specific locations for pilots to bomb in the Vietnam War. 

Cavazos retired in May 1973 after 24 years of military service. He earned the rank of technical sergeant and was awarded an Air Force Commendation Medal for his service. After his retirement, Cavazos lived in Idaho with his wife of 69 years and his five children. He was known to serve his fellow Veterans with his restaurants providing food during the annual Veterans Day Parade. His fondest memories of service involve friendship, helping others and never leaving anyone behind. He asks for everyone to be kind to one another and get involved in one’s community. 

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for Honoring Veterans

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s Honoring Veterans social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Writer: Mariah Bailey

Editor: Lillian Williams, Tayler Rairigh

Researcher: Ralph Romea

Graphic Designer: Kiki Kelley