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. After additional information became known, on November 10, 2020, Congress voted to upgrade his award to the Medal of Honor. Final approval must be granted by the President. On December 4 2020, the President signed in to law H.R. 8276, which authorizes the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Alwyn C. Cashe for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom while serving in the United States Army;

Alwyn Cashe
Birth nameAlwyn Crendall Cashe
Born(1970-07-13)July 13, 1970
Sanford, Florida, U.S.
DiedNovember 8, 2005(2005-11-08) (aged 35)
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1988–2005
Rank Sergeant first class
Unit1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
Battles/warsPersian Gulf War
Iraq War †
AwardsBronze Star Medal
Purple Heart

Early life and education

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

Career

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

On the evening of October 17, 2005, Cashe, despite suffering second and third-degree burns over 72% of his body, saved the lives of six of his fellow soldiers after the Bradley fighting vehicle they were riding in struck an improvised explosive device. Cashe succumbed to his injuries on November 8, 2005 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.[3] He was survived by his wife and children. Cashe is interred at Restlawn Cemetery in Sanford, Florida.[4]

Legacy

On July 19, 2014, a new Army Reserve center in Sanford, Florida was memorialized for Cashe.[5] On May 11, 2019, the Oviedo Post Office was renamed in Cashe's honor.[6]

As of July 23, 2020, Alwyn Cashe's son, Andrew Cashe, graduated from the U.S. Army's One Station Unit Training (OSUT) for Infantry at Fort Benning in Georgia.[7]

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

Lieutenant 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[8]

On October 17, 2019, the 14th anniversary of Cashe's actions, three members of Congress wrote[9] 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.[10]

On August 24, 2020 Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, agreed that Cashe's actions merit award of the Medal of Honor.[11] On September 22, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill, introduced by Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), which would allow Cashe to finally receive the Medal of Honor.[12] HR 8276 would waive a five-year time statute of limitations that has expired for normal consideration for Medal of Honor awards by directly authorizing the President to award the medal “for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom.”[13]

On September 28, 2020, Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, a former US Army ranger, taped Cashe's name on the back of his helmet, covering the name of Antwon Rose Jr, who was killed by an East Pittsburgh policeman in June 2018. The team had previously decided to honor Rose.[14] Villanueva stated his actions were intended to support the campaign to award Cashe the Medal of Honor.[15]

On November 10, 2020, The Senate passed a legislation that clears the way for Cashe to be awarded the Medal of Honor.[16]

On December 4, 2020, the president signed H.R. 8276, which authorizes the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Alwyn C. Cashe for acts of valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom while serving in the United States Army.[17]

Awards and decorations

Silver Star citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Alwyn Crendall Cashe, United States Army, for exceptionally valorous achievement following an improvised explosive device explosion on 17 October 2005, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, during combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Sergeant First Class Cashe's disregard for his own safety proved evident when he saved the lives of six fellow soldiers despite his serious injuries. His bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Task Force DRAGON, the SLEDGEHAMMER Brigade, Task Force LIBERTY, and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: Sergeant First Class Alwyn Crendall Cashe heroically distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the United States as a Platoon Sergeant in 1st Platoon, Alpha Company (HARDOCK), 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment stationed at Forward Operating Base MACKENZIE, Iraq, on 17 October 2005. On the evening of 17 October 2005, Sergeant First Class Cashe's heroic actions saved the lives of six of his fellow soldiers. At approximately 1920 hours, 1st Platoon of Alpha Company, 1-15 Infantry departed FOB MACKENZIE to conduct a route clearance in the city of Daliaya, Iraq. Along Route JAIME, the lead Bradley Fighting Vehicle, of which Sergeant First Class Cashe was gunner having just moved from a NMC vehicle, struck a victim detonated pressure-switch IED at grid MC 25357243. The blast ignited the fuel cell on the vehicle causing fuel to spew everywhere. The vehicle came to a stop and immediately erupted in flames. Sergeant First Class Cashe was initially slightly injured and drenched with fuel. Despite his condition, he bravely managed to get out of the gunner's hatch, crawl down the BFV and assist the driver out of the driver's hatch. The driver had been burned and Sergeant First Class Cashe extinguished his flames. The following minutes were crucial. Six soldiers and a translator were in the back of the Bradley. Flames had engulfed the entire vehicle from the bottom and were coming out of every portal. The squad leader inside the vehicle managed to open the troop hatch door to help the soldiers escape. Without regard for his personal safety, Sergeant First Class Cashe rushed to the back of the vehicle, reaching into the hot flames and started pulling out his soldiers. The flames gripped his fuel soaked uniform. Flames quickly spread all over his body. Despite the terrible pain, Sergeant First Class Cashe placed the injured soldier on the ground and returned to the burning vehicle to retrieve another burning soldier; all the while, he was still on fire. A crew from a trail Bradley arrived within moments and assisted with CASEVAC. During all this and with severe burns, Sergeant First Class Cashe bravely continued to take control of the chaos. Within minutes, the company First Sergeant was on the scene and began to evacuate the seriously injured soldiers. One of which was Sergeant First Class Cashe. In the end, the national translator was killed in action, and 10 soldiers were injured. Seven of the ten were very seriously injured. Sergeant First Class Cashe stayed a hero through it all. His injuries were the worst as he suffered form 2d and 3d degree burns over 72% of his body. Sergeant First Class Cashe's heroic actions saved the lives of six of his beloved soldiers. He is truly deserving of this award. His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Task Force LIBERTY and the United States Army.[18]

Commendations

SFC Cashe's awards include:[19]
Combat Infantryman Badge
Silver Star
Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak leaf cluster Army Good Conduct Medal, 5 awards National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Campaign stars Kosovo Campaign Medal with 1 Campaign star Iraq Campaign Medal 1 Campaign star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal
NCO Professional Development Ribbon with award numeral 3 Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 2
NATO Medal for ex-Yugoslavia Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Tracked Vehicle Driver Badge (Driver-T) Parachutist Badge Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Expert Infantryman Badge
U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Identification Badge
3 Overseas Service Bars
5 Service stripes

References
  1. "Rep. Murphy Speech at Dedication Ceremony Honoring SFC Alwyn Cashe". U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy. May 11, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  2. "Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe| Military Times". thefallen.militarytimes.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  3. "Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe| Military Times". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  4. "SFC Alwyn Crendall Cashe (1970-2005) - Find A..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
  5. "Army Reserve center dedicated to fallen Florida hero". DVIDS. July 19, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  6. "Murphy hosts post office dedication for Oviedo war hero". The Seminole Source. May 9, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  7. Packman, Aaron (June 4, 2020). "SFC Alwyn Cashe's Son - Andrew, is half-way through Basic Combat Training". Military Vanguard. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  8. Zucchino, David (December 7, 2014). "Medal of Honor campaign continues for black sergeant who saved troops". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  9. "Murphy, Crenshaw, Waltz Urge the Defense Department to Award Alwyn Cashe the Medal of Honor". U.S. Representative Stephanie Murphy. October 17, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  10. Harkins, Gina (October 17, 2019). "Vets in Congress Renew Medal of Honor Plea for Army 'Legend' Alwyn Cashe". Military.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  11. III, Leo Shane (August 30, 2020). "Iraq War hero Alwyn Cashe should get Medal of Honor, Esper says". Military Times. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  12. "House passes bill to clear path for Army Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe to receive posthumous Medal of Honor". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  13. Powers, Scott (September 23, 2020). "House passes Stephanie Murphy bill making Medal of Honor possible for Alwyn Cashe". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  14. "Who is Alwyn Cashe and why did Alejandro Villanueva choose to honor him? | TribLIVE.com". triblive.com. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  15. "Steelers OT Alejandro Villanueva finally clears air about his helmet". Steelers Wire. September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  16. Dan Lamothe (November 10, 2020). "Iraq War soldier Alwyn Cashe set to receive Medal of Honor after Senate passage of legislation". washingtonpost. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  17. Williams, David (December 5, 2020). "Iraq War hero Alwyn Cashe is closer to being awarded the Medal of Honor". CNN. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  18. "Alwyn Cashe - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  19. "Cashe, Alwyn Crendall, SFC". army.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
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