Alwyn Cashe

Alwyn Crendall Cashe (July 13, 1970 - November 8, 2005) of Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, was a United States Army Non-Commissioned Officer posthumously awarded the Silver Star for heroism in Iraq. Cashe's award is controversial, prompting significant subsequent debate and discussion of an upgrade of his award to the Medal of Honor.

Early life

Alwyn Cashe was born in Sanford, Florida July 13, 1970.[1] He was raised in Oviedo, Florida and attended Oviedo High School, graduating in 1988.

Military career

Cashe enlisted in the US Army following high school graduation in 1988.[2] As a part of the infantry, he served tours of duty in the 1991 Gulf War and following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, prior to his tour with the 3rd Infantry Division.[2]

Silver Star Citation Summary[3]

Acting as Platoon Sergeant of 1st Platoon of Alpha Company from Forward Operating Base Mackenzie, Sergeant First Class Cashe departed FOB Mackenzie October 17, 2005 on a route clearance mission in the city of Daliaya, Iraq. Sergeant First Class Cashe was in the lead Bradley Fighting Vehicle when it struck an Improvised Explosive Device, rupturing the vehicle's fuel cell, covering Sergeant Cashe in fuel, and causing the vehicle to burst into flames. Sergeant Cashe, initially slightly injured, exited the vehicle and assisted the vehicle's driver in exiting the burning Bradley and extinguishing the flames on the driver's clothes. Six soldiers and a translator remained in the rear of the vehicle, which was in flames. Sergeant Cashe moved to the rear of the vehicle and reached into the flames to remove injured soldiers, while his fuel-soaked uniform burned. Sergeant Cashe dragged rescued soldiers from the burning vehicle, returning multiple times to continue to pull troops from the burning vehicle, all the while afire himself. Cashe rescued 6 soldiers from the flames and denied medical evacuation until others were evacuated. The translator was killed in the action, with 10 soldiers wounded, 7 severely.

Sergeant Cashe was burned over 72% of his body. He succumbed to his injuries November 8, 2005 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He is survived by his wife and children.

Legacy and subsequent Medal of Honor consideration

On May 11, 2019, the Oviedo Post Office was renamed in Cashe's honor.[4]

As of July 23 2020, Alwyn Cashe's son, Andrew Cashe, Graduated US Army OSUT Infantry Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.[5]

Campaign to upgrade Cashe's Silver Star to the Medal of Honor

Major General Gary Brito, Cashe's battalion commander at the time of the action, did not initially realize the extent of Cashe's injuries and the pain he must have been in when he nominated Cashe for the Silver Star award. Witnesses were evacuated for medical treatment and unavailable for statement. Brito subsequently submitted additional statements to the Army to justify upgrading Cashe's award to the Medal of Honor. Brito continues to support efforts to upgrade Cashe's Silver Star to the Medal of Honor[6]

On October 17, 2019, the 14th anniversary of Cashe's actions, three Congressman wrote a letter[7] to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy formally requesting an upgrade of Cashe's award to the Medal of Honor. The letter was authored by retired Navy SEAL Dan Crenshaw, former Special Forces officer Michael Waltz and Stephanie Murphy.[8]

References
  1. "Rep. Murphy Speech at Dedication Ceremony Honoring SFC Alwyn Cashe". U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy. 2019-05-11. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  2. "Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe| Military Times". thefallen.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  3. "Alwyn Cashe - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  4. "Murphy hosts post office dedication for Oviedo war hero". The Seminole Source. 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  5. Packman, Aaron (2020-06-04). "SFC Alwyn Cashe's Son - Andrew, is half-way through Basic Combat Training". Military Vanguard. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  6. Zucchino, David (2014-12-07). "Medal of Honor campaign continues for black sergeant who saved troops". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  7. "Murphy, Crenshaw, Waltz Urge the Defense Department to Award Alwyn Cashe the Medal of Honor". U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy. 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  8. Harkins, Gina (2019-10-17). "Vets in Congress Renew Medal of Honor Plea for Army 'Legend' Alwyn Cashe". Military.com. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
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