Why SFC Alwyn C. Cashe Deserves The Medal of Honor

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and my Father was a Veteran of the US Army. He enlisted with The 69th Inventory Division during World War II when he was 17 years old, and the experience changed his life forever.

A US Flag always flew in front of our home, and it still does. He and our Mother raised us with an appreciation of the sacrifices that so many make to protect the freedoms that we enjoy and often take for granted.

I've been designing copper cuff bracelets for several years, and on occasion I've quietly provided one to honor or memorialize a member of our armed services. I'm deeply moved when a customer shares his or her personal story of love and loss with me. I know that the sacrifices made by the members of our armed services extend beyond themselves to their families and loved ones at home, and I appreciate all that each of them do on our behalf.

Recently I was moved to tears and humbled beyond words when I was asked to create a bracelet to honor Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe and several of his Brothers. These men are true American Heroes, and their story is nothing short of amazing. Please take a few minutes to read the request that I received, and please also consider visiting the Facebook Page that's been established in support of Sgt. Cashe deserving The Medal of Honor. 
 

The note describes why I'm honoring my brother.

 I've had the great honor of serving as SFC Alwyn Cashe's last platoon leader. On the faithful night of 17 OCT 2005, I witnessed SFC Cashe's heroic actions as he saved the lives of several Soldiers from a burning bradley vehicle. SFC Cashe's actions gave Soldiers the opportunity to say goodbyes to their families and he is an American Hero.

I would like congress to remove the 2 year nomination process associated with the Medal of Honor in order to expedite SFC Cashe's MoH recommendation. (Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe's Medal of Honor narrative is at the end of this note)
I will never forget the service ofSgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe, 35, of Oviedo, Florida.Cashe died at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX from wounds suffered October 17, 2005 in Samarra, Iraq. He was on patrol in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle when an improvised explosive devise detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to 1st Battallion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Died on November 8, 2005.

Staff Sgt. George T. Alexander, Jr., 34, of Clanton, Alabama.Alexander died at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on October 17, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. Died on October 22, 2005.

Sgt. Michael T. Robertson, 28, of Houston, Texas.Robertson died at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas of injuries sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on October 17, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. Died on October 25, 2005.

Spc. Darren D. Howe, 21, of Beatrice, Nebraska.Howe died at Brooke Army Medical
Center in San Antonio, Texas, of injuries sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on October
17, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting
Vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. Died on November 3, 2005.

Spc. Ray Salerno, 27, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Salerno died in Texas, of injuries sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on October 17, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. Died on July, 16
2006.

Iraqi Interpreter died in Samarra, Iraq, on 17 October, of injuries sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on October 17, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.

Sgt. Gary Mills recovered from the burn injuries he sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on October 17, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd
Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.

SFC Douglas Dodge recovered from the burn injuries he sustained in Samarra, Iraq, on October 17, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Bradley Fighting Vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.

SGT Daniel Connelly survived the October 17, 2005 attack with no major injuries. He was SFC Cashe's Bradley Fighting Vehicle gunner.
 

Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe's Medal of Honor narrative:

Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe, United States Army, distinguished himself by exceptional gallantry in action in the face of violence while serving as the platoon 1h sergeant of 151 Platoon, Alpha Company (Hard rock). 151 Battalion, 15 Infantry Regiment, based at FOB Mackenzie, Salah a Din Province, Iraq.On 17 October 2005 , SFC Alwyn Cashe's heroic actions saved the lives of six of his fellow Soldiers.

At approximately 1915 hrs, his platoon departed the forward operating base along Route Jaime to conduct a route clearance operation along a supply route that ran through the town of Duliaya; a town adjacent to the FOB.After traveling about 4-5 kilometers, the lead Bradley fighting vehicle, of which SFC Cashe was in the gunner's hatch, struck a vehicle detonated IED placed across the route at grid MC 25377243. The blast ignited the fuel cell causing fuel to spew throughout the vehicle igniting a fire and causing the vehicle to roll to a stop. Also, from the forward left flank of the blast site, the platoon received enemy small-arms fire.

Soaked with fuel himself, SFC Cashe managed to dismount from the vehicle and assist the driver, SPC Howe, whose uniform was on fire. SFC Cashe extinguished the flames on SPC Howe.Six soldiers and an interpreter were in the troop compartment of the burning vehicle. Flames had engulfed the vehicle and were darting from the weapons ports. One of the soldiers in the back of the vehicle attempted to open the hatch door in an attempt to help the soldiers escape. The flames intensified and everyone inside
was aflame.

Without regard for his personal safety, SFC Cashe rushed to the back of the vehicle, managed to help open the door and began to pull the soldiers out, one at a time. In doing this, the flames totally gripped his fueled soaked uniform causing severe, painful burns. Despite this pain, he bravely continued to pull his troops out of the vehicle and feverishly worked to put their flames out.

As the chaos continued, SFC Cashe noticed that the platoon medic was still inside. He rushed back to the vehicle, reached through the flames and pulled out the medic. All this despite being on fire himself. Within moments, a trail vehicle arrived and assisted with the CASEVAC.

Although severely burned, SFC Cashe bravely continued to take control of the situation as besthe could. Shortly thereafter, the company first sergeant, 1SG Chris Mackenzie, accompanied by medics and other soldiers from the company arrived and began to evacuate the severely burned soldiers, the worst of which was SFC Cashe. The FOB helipad served as the LZ/PZ for the air evacuation. Badly burned, all six soldiers were alive when they were air evacuated. The interpreter did not survive the blast and was immediately transported to the battalion morgue.

Throughout the nightmarish ordeal, ten soldiers were injured. Six of the ten were treated at the Balad Hospital. Five of those six, including SFC Cashe were later evacuated through Landstuhl to the burn center in San Antonio, Texas. Sadly, over the next few weeks, four of the six died of wounds.

Despite being the most severely injured with 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 72% of his body, SFC Alwyn Cashe endured while his soldiers were alive. He suffered through painful surgeries, infections, organ failure and loss of body parts as he continued to be the consummate Platoon Sergeant to his Soldiers. SFC Alwyn Cashe died of his wounds on 8 November 2005. He was the last of those so severely injured that terrible night to die. SFC Cashe's selfless and gallant actions allowed the loved ones of these brave soldiers to spend precious time by their sides before each succumbed to their dreadful injuries.

Although he is no longer with us, SFC Alwyn C. Cashe is the type of hero that historians will write about.His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect greatly upon himself and the US Army.