Alwyn Crendall Cashe

Entered a Burning Bradley to Rescue His Soldiers

Alwyn Crendall Cashe was a United States Army platoon sergeant whose repeated rescues from a burning Bradley Fighting Vehicle earned the Medal of Honor. Born on 13 July 1970 in Georgia, he grew up in Oviedo, Florida. He enlisted on 18 July 1989, initially served as a supply specialist and became an infantryman in 1993. His career included overseas assignments and service as a drill sergeant.

On 17 October 2005, Cashe was serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, in Iraq. An explosive device and small-arms attack disabled his Bradley near Samarra. He helped free the driver, then repeatedly returned to rescue soldiers trapped in the troop compartment. His fuel-soaked uniform caught fire, but severe burns did not stop him. He refused evacuation until the other wounded soldiers had left.

Full Medal of Honor citation:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe distinguished himself by acts of gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Platoon Sergeant with Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq, on October 17th, 2005. While on a nighttime mounted patrol near an enemy-laden village, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle which Sergeant First Class Cashe was commanding was attacked by enemy small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device, which disabled the vehicle and engulfed it in flames. After extracting himself from the vehicle, Sergeant First Class Cashe set about extracting the driver, who was trapped in the vehicle. After opening the driver’s hatch, Sergeant First Class Cashe and a fellow soldier extracted the driver, who was engulfed in the flames.

During the course of extinguishing the flames on the driver and extracting him from the vehicle, Sergeant First Class Cashe’s fuel soaked his uniform, igniting and causing severe burns to his body. Ignoring his painful wounds, Sergeant First Class Cashe then moved to the rear of the vehicle to continue in aiding his fellow soldiers who were trapped in the troop compartment.

At this time, the enemy noted his movements and began to direct their fire on his position.

When another element of the company engaged the enemy, Sergeant First Class Cashe seized the opportunity and moved into the open troop door and aided four of his soldiers in escaping the burning vehicle. Having extracted the four soldiers, Sergeant First Class Cashe noticed two other soldiers had not been accounted for and again he entered the vehicle to retrieve them.

At this time, reinforcements arrived to further suppress the enemy and establish a Casualty Collection Point.

Despite the severe second- and third-degree burns covering the majority of his body, Sergeant First Class Cashe persevered through the pain to encourage his fellow soldiers and ensure they received needed medical care. When medical evacuation helicopters began to arrive, Sergeant First Class Cashe selflessly refused evacuation until all of the other wounded soldiers were evacuated first.

Sergeant First Class Cashe’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”

Cashe died of his injuries at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio on 8 November 2005. He is buried in Restlawn Cemetery, Sanford, Florida. His original Silver Star was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, which President Joe Biden presented to his widow, Tamara, on 16 December 2021.