SFC CASHE SACRIFICED HIMSELF FOR HIS SOLDIERS…

On October 17, 2005, SFC Alwyn Cashe left FOB Mackenzie in Daliaya, Iraq, on a route clearance mission as platoon leader of 1st Platoon, Alpha Company. Cashe was at the head of the column in a Bradley fighting vehicle when it was hit by an IED. The blast tore open the fuel tank, set the vehicle on fire and soaked Cashe’s uniform in diesel. Only lightly injured at first, Cashe got out and helped the driver escape the burning Bradley and beat out the flames on his clothing. Six soldiers and an interpreter were still trapped in the rear of the burning Bradley. Cashe moved to the back of the vehicle and reached through the flames to pull the wounded soldiers out. His diesel-soaked uniform caught fire as he did it, but he got every one of his men out of the troop compartment. He refused to be taken out of the danger zone by MedEvac until all of the others had been evacuated.

SFC Alwyn Cashe suffered second and third degree burns that day. 72% of his body was burned as he pulled his soldiers out of the burning troop compartment while he was on fire himself. Cashe died of his injuries on November 8, 2005, at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He left behind his wife and several children.

Three days ago, on November 10, 2020, the Senate passed a bill that allows the Silver Star he was originally awarded to be upgraded to the Medal of Honor he earned.

Worth noting: Alejandro Villanueva, Pittsburgh Steelers player and former Army Ranger, taped Cashe’s name to his helmet to draw attention to what Cashe had done and to push for the upgrade to the Medal of Honor.

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