Alwyn Crendall Cashe
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

On 17 October 2005, then-Sergeant First Class Alwyn Crendall Cashe was serving as a Platoon Sergeant in 1st Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, stationed at Forward Operating Base Mackenzie, Iraq, while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day at approximately 1920 hours, the 1st Platoon of Alpha Company, departed Forward Operating Base (FOB) Mackenzie to conduct a route clearance in the city of Daliaya, Iraq. Along Route JAIME, the lead Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV), of which SFC Cashe was gunner having just moved from a NMC vehicle, struck a victim-detonated pressure-switch improvised explosive device (IED) at grid MC 25357243. The blast ignited the fuel cell on the BFV causing fuel to spew everywhere and the vehicle came to a stop and immediately erupted in flames. Although SFC Cashe was slightly injured and drenched with fuel, he bravely managed to get out of the gunner's hatch, crawl down into the BFV and assist the driver in exiting out of the driver's hatch. The driver had been burned and SFC Cashe extinguished his flames. The following minutes were crucial as 6 soldiers and a translator were in the back of the BFV. Flames had engulfed the entire vehicle from the bottom and were coming out of every portal. The squad leader inside the BFV managed to open the troop hatch door to help the soldiers escape. Ignoring his own safety, SFC Cashe rushed to the back of the vehicle, reached into the hot flames and started pulling out his soldiers. The flames covered his fuel-soaked uniform and quickly spread all over his body. Despite the terrible pain, SFC Cashe placed the injured soldier on the ground and, while he was still on fire, returned to the burning vehicle to retrieve another burning soldier. A crew from a trailing BFV arrived within moments and assisted with casualty evacuation (CASEVAC). During all this, even with his severe burns, SFC 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 SFC Cashe. In the end, the national translator was killed in action, and 10 soldiers were injured. Seven of the 10 were very seriously injured. SFC Cashe remained a hero through it all although his injuries were the most severe of all as he suffered from 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 72% of his body. SFC Cashe's heroism saved the lives of 6 of the beloved soldiers entrusted to his care and he is truly deserving of this award. SFC Cashe’s selfless, courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Al Cashe had told his family that he would never leave one of his soldiers behind in combat. He kept his promise. On 8 November 2005, SFC Cashe died of his severe burns during treatment at the Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX.

As of 2019, efforts were still being made to get SFC Cashe's Silver Star Medal upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal with 5 Bronze Knots
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 3
NATO Medal (Kosovo)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge

Silver Star Medal 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.

Burial

Sergeant First Class Alwyn Crendall Cashe is buried at Restlawn Cemetery in Sanford, Seminole County, FL.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14025075/alwyn-crendall-cashe