Alwyn Cashe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alwyn C. Cashe
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| Birth name | Alwyn Crendall Cashe |
| Born | July 13, 1970 Sanford, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | November 8, 2005 (aged 35) San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Buried |
Restlawn Cemetery, Sanford, Florida, U.S.
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1988–2005 |
| Rank | Sergeant First Class |
| Unit | 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Persian Gulf War Iraq War † |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Combat Infantryman Badge Expert Infantryman Badge Tracked Vehicle Driver Badge Parachutist Badge Expert Marksmanship Badge Drill Sergeant Identification Badge |
Alwyn Crendall Cashe (born July 13, 1970 – died November 8, 2005) was a brave soldier in the United States Army. He was a senior non-commissioned officer, which means he was a leader who guided other soldiers. He was given the Medal of Honor after he died for his amazing bravery in Iraq.
On November 10, 2020, the United States Congress decided to upgrade an award he had already received, the Silver Star, to the Medal of Honor. This is the highest award for military bravery. More than 16 years after his death, on December 16, 2021, President Joe Biden presented the Medal of Honor to Cashe's wife, Tamara. This ceremony honored Cashe and two other soldiers for their heroic actions.
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Early Life and School
Alwyn Cashe was born in Sanford, Florida, on July 13, 1970. He grew up in Oviedo, Florida. He went to Oviedo High School and finished school in 1988.
Military Career
After high school in 1988, Cashe joined the U.S. Army. He became an infantryman, a soldier who fights on foot. He served in the Gulf War in 1991. He also went to former Yugoslavia, where he earned the Kosovo Campaign Medal. Before joining the 3rd Infantry Division, he went to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
During his time in the Army, he also worked as a drill sergeant. A drill sergeant trains new soldiers.
Heroic Actions in Iraq
On October 17, 2005, Cashe was with his unit, A Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. They were riding in a military vehicle called a Bradley fighting vehicle. Their vehicle hit a hidden bomb, called an improvised explosive device. The blast caused the vehicle to catch fire.
Even though Cashe suffered severe burns over 72% of his body, he bravely saved six of his fellow soldiers. He pulled them out of the burning vehicle. He kept going back into the flames to rescue more soldiers, even while he himself was on fire.
Cashe was badly hurt and passed away from his injuries on November 8, 2005. He died at a hospital in San Antonio, Texas. He is buried in Restlawn Cemetery in Sanford, Florida.
His Legacy
Alwyn Cashe is remembered for his incredible bravery. Many places have been named in his honor:
- On July 19, 2014, a new Army Reserve center in Sanford, Florida, was named after him.
- On May 11, 2019, the Oviedo Post Office was renamed in his honor.
His son, Andrew Cashe, followed in his father's footsteps. On July 23, 2020, Andrew Cashe finished his infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia.
On May 20, 2021, the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, GA renamed their main ceremonial area from “Marne Gardens” to “Cashe Gardens.” This place is used for important military ceremonies.
The Campaign for the Medal of Honor
After Cashe's heroic actions, his commander, Gary Brito, first nominated him for the Silver Star. At the time, Brito didn't fully know how badly Cashe was hurt or how much pain he was in. Later, more information came out about Cashe's incredible courage.
Many people, including Gary Brito and members of Congress, worked hard to get Cashe's award upgraded to the Medal of Honor. They believed his actions were far beyond what the Silver Star recognized.
On October 17, 2019, which was the 14th anniversary of Cashe's brave acts, three members of Congress wrote to military leaders. They officially asked for Cashe's award to be upgraded.
On August 24, 2020, the Secretary of Defense, Mark Esper, agreed that Cashe deserved the Medal of Honor. On September 22, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill. This bill allowed Cashe to receive the Medal of Honor, even though there's usually a time limit for such awards.
On November 10, 2020, the Senate also passed the bill. This cleared the way for Cashe to finally receive the Medal of Honor. On December 4, 2020, President Donald Trump signed the bill into law. This officially allowed the President to give the Medal of Honor to Alwyn C. Cashe after his death.
Receiving the Medal of Honor
The ceremony to award Cashe's Medal of Honor was delayed for a short time. However, on December 16, 2021, President Biden presented the Medal of Honor to Cashe's family. This special ceremony also honored two other brave soldiers, Earl Plumlee and Christopher Celiz.
Awards and Honors
Sergeant First Class Cashe received many awards for his service and bravery. The most important one is the Medal of Honor, which is the highest military award for courage.
He also received the Silver Star, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Other important awards include:
- The Bronze Star Medal, given for heroic or brave actions.
- The Purple Heart, given to soldiers wounded or killed in action.
- The Combat Infantryman Badge, showing he fought in combat as an infantry soldier.
- The Expert Infantryman Badge, showing high skill as an infantry soldier.
- The Tracked Vehicle Driver Badge, for driving military vehicles.
- The Parachutist Badge, for being a trained paratrooper.
- The Expert Marksmanship Badge, for excellent shooting skills.
- The Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, for his time as a drill sergeant.
