Faces Of OUR Freedom: Sergeant First Class, Alwyn C. Cashe

My day begins by looking at my social media content calendar and deciding what needs to be posted for the day. Sometimes things change, fires need to be put out, something gets moved… not everything is set in stone. This morning I was supposed to post a teaser photo of who next week’s Celebrity Supporters would be and let you all try to guess who it would be. As I arrived to work and got my day started… I received a Facebook message from a friend asking me to read an article about Sergeant First Class (SFC) Alwyn C. Cashe of the United States Army. As I began reading the article… tears started welling up in my eyes. I instantly knew that his was a story that needed to be told. Alwyn C. Cashe is a hero and someone that historians will hopefully write about. The actions that he took to save his brothers lives in that tragic moment are astonishing and heart wrenching at the same time.

Let me share with you the story of SFC Alwyn C. Cashe – as told by the narrative that accompanied the Silver Star award of which he received posthumously.

Pull out your tissues ladies…

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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 emplaced 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 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 best he 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. – See more at: BlackFive

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SFC Alwyn Cashe left behind a beautiful wife and 3 loving children. It must be known that SFC Cashe has so far only been awarded the Silver Star which is the military’s third-highest medal for valor. However, his family has submitted a packet to the Army Awards Branch to award him with the Medal Of Honor. This man deserves the Medal Of Honor. Such a remarkable man and a remarkable story of courage, bravery, and heroism.

I never had the honor or the privilege of meeting SFC Alwyn Cashe but he has definitely touched my heart. May he rest in peace. Never forget.