#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Cecil L. Cavender

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Cecil L. Cavender, who received the Purple Heart during Korea. Aug. 7 is Purple Heart Day.

Cecil “Bud” Cavender lived in Sasabe, Arizona, when he enlisted in the Navy in 1948. After driving his stepbrother to the enlistment station, the ongoing Berlin Airlift and communist takeover in China motivated Cavender to enlist as well. He made his decision then out of necessity, but his patriotism grew over time.

When the Korean War began in 1950, Cavender was stationed in Japan aboard the USS Mansfield, the first American ship in Inchon harbor. The USS Mansfield escorted civilian ships full of refugees out. During this time, Cavender thought it was thrilling to hear people talk about the Navy coming to the rescue. Cavender saw much combat as fire control and was injured by a mine in Wonsan Harbor, for which he earned the Purple Heart.

After the Korean War, Cavender remained in the Navy into the early years of American involvement in Vietnam. He served from January 1962 to January 1964. His job at this stage was to train the South Vietnamese military. He returned in 1967 to make payments to intelligence sources.

Cavender retired from the Navy in 1971 at the rank of chief petty officer. Over the course of his service, he earned the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation With Gallantry Cross. After his retirement from the Navy, Cavender went on assignment in Crystal City, Virginia, where his job continued to involve payments for information.

We honor his service.

To learn more about Cavender’s story, go to the Veteran’s History Project at: https://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.00226/

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

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 #VeteranOfTheDay 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.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Contributors

Editor: Ashley Levi

Graphic artist: Tenzin Chomphel