Introduction
Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe was a Platoon Sergeant working with Alpha Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in Salah Ad Din Province. The event in question took place in Iraq. Cashe was born on July 13, 1970, in Thompson, Georgi and was raised in a humble family in Oviedo, Florida. After graduating from Oviedo High School, Cashe joined the U.S. military. He fought in the Gulf War Operation Iraqi Freedom and was deployed in support in 1991 and first took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. On October 17, 2005, Cashe’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle was struck near Samara in Iraq in which more than 72 percent of his body got burnt in a frantic effort in which he managed to retrieve six soldiers and an Iraqi Interpreter (Veteran Tributes, 2021). He died, not from the bombing of their vehicle but from saving his men from a burning vehicle.
Cashe, July 13, 1970- November 8, 2005 (Congressional Medal of Honor Society (2021).
The Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom was launched on March 20th 2003. The operation was launched following the establishment that Iraq had breached the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441 which regulated and prohibited governments from stockpiling and importing weapons of mass destruction. It started with preemptive airstrikes on Saddam Hussein’s Presidential Palace (Perry et al., 2015). Military targets followed with an estimated 67, 700 boots on the ground. Operation Iraqi Freedom has been seen as one of the major operations with logistical complications and shortcomings (Chappell, 2017). The Major combat operations in the operation started on March 19 and ended on April 14, 2003. It has also been established that Iraq deployed its forces often against the Kurds and planted them on their border with Iran and not along invasion corridors all the way to the Tigris-Euphrates Valley (Fischer, 2013).
It has been established that the use of improvised explosive devices was responsible for more than 2,000 deaths and a series of casualties suffered by U.S. and coalition forces since the invasion of Iraq (Perry et al., 2015). In particular, it is reported that the use of these bombs by the Iraqi insurgents is so common that they often make videos of exploding U.S. vehicles and dead Americans and share them on social media via the Internet in an effort to win new supporters and follow (Owens et al., 2018).
The Battle in Samara Iraq, October 17th 2005
On a nightly patrol mission, Cashe’s vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb near Samara. The vehicle got engulfed in flames, but Cashe managed to escape the burning vehicle. He returned to the burning car and one by one, he managed to extract six soldiers (Donnelly, 2004). According to Cashe’s company commander “Again and again, he continues to go back, soaked in fuel, on fire, with no regard for his own safety to get everybody out” (Woods, 2006)
(MCoE Fort Moore, 2022)
Cashe left a legacy of selfless services that is never to be forgotten, according to 1st Sgt. Peter Black a soldier who knew him well, “There is just a way he kept us safe, and we never had to worry about not being safe, and he always took care of his guys. Always!”
He and his platoon got in Samara on January 10th 2005 (MCoE Fort Moore, 2022)
Samarra, Iraq. The area of the attack that led to the death of Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe (MCoE Fort Moore, 2022).
(MCoE Fort Moore, 2022)
The platoon came from patrol, and there was notable bad weather. The area experienced red air. The Bradley vehicle that they were using that day developed a mechanical breakdown and being he was, Cashe jumped right into another vehicle and occupied the gunner’s seat. This shows his determination to be on patrol, and Bradley was the lead vehicle in that patrol (Casey Jr, 2012). They rolled down a big stretch of road that they had all the way to the very first intersection where the explosion took place.
A look back into the Iraqi Freedom operation reveals various challenges with the battle space. It is reported that there were unprecedented challenges in the sensor coverage which worsened the situational awareness that the U.S. military infrastructure had. At the same time, it became apparent that responses were ID calls that were complicated by the landscape (Horton & Lamothe, 2017). The pace at which people could maneuver the battleground became increasingly difficult such that there were some inefficiencies associated with handling backlogged intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data relayed from the command centers (Wilson, 2005).
Most of the shared stories about Cashe are replete with accolades about his heroism in the face of danger. Matthias, his former platoon commander and witness to the events of that day, recalls their time together with fondness. His medal of honor recognition is appreciated and considered to be a well-deserved one in the eyes of those who knew him.
A key tribute to the solder on him being awarded posthumously is by Major General Charles D. Constanza who asserts that “SFC Cashe is an example of what being a Dogface Soldier is all about—selfless service. The special relationship we developed with the Cashe family while preserving his memory and telling his story is truly remarkable. I am incredibly proud that this time has finally arrived; for him, our Army and his family” (Milkovich, 2018). His legend will forever remain as a gallant soldier, a consummate professional and a caring leader.
Prior to being crowned with the medal of honor, the memories of Cashe continue to be an inspiration and a beacon example of Soldiers of 3rd ID. In Cashe’s honor, the 3rd Infantry Division honored him in 2022 by dedicating the unit’s most prominent memorial garden and event space in his name. The previously referred to Marne Garden took its official name as “Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe Garden.”
In essence, Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe showed gallant selflessness and embodied what it meant to be an army man. He persevered through the pain on his mostly burnt body. He is survived by a 12-year-old daughter.
(MCoE Fort Moore, 2022)
References
Casey Jr, G. W. (2012). Strategic Reflections: Operation Iraqi Freedom, July 2004-February 2007. National Defense Univ Fort Mcnair Dc.
Chappell, P. (2017). Soldiers of peace: How to wield the weapon of nonviolence with maximum force. Easton Studio Press LLC.
Clemmer, B. A. (2009). Aligned Incentives: Could the Army’s Award System Inadvertently be Hindering Counterinsurgency Operations. Naval Postgraduate School Monterey Ca Defense Analysis Dept.
Congressional Medal of Honor Society (2021). War on Terrorism (Iraq) – U.S. Army. https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/alwyn-c-cashe
Donnelly, T. (2004). Operation Iraqi Freedom: A Strategic Assessment. American Enterprise Institute.
Fischer, H. (2013, February). US Military casualty statistics: operation new dawn, operation Iraqi freedom, and operation enduring freedom. Library of Congress Washington Dc Congressional Research service.
Horton, A & Lamothe, D. (2017). She said, ‘Promise me you’ll come back.’ He was killed in Iraq days after arriving. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/10/02/vehicle-attack-kills-one-american-service-member-wounds-another-in-iraq/
Lamothe, D. (2021). After extraordinary sacrifice — and years of delay — Alwyn Cashe gets his Medal of Honor. Washing Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2021/12/15/alwyn-cashe-medal-of-honor/
MCoE Fort Moore (2022). Alwyn Cashe: Selfless Service. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjEK5Nj_1SM&ab_channel=MCoEFortMoore
Milkovich, N. D. (2018). AirLand Battle Redux: Evolutions of Air-Ground Integration from the Gulf War to Operation Iraqi Freedom. US Army School for Advanced Military Studies Fort Leavenworth United States.
Owens, B. D., Kragh Jr, J. F., Macaitis, J., Svoboda, S. J., & Wenke, J. C. (2007). Characterization of extremity wounds in operation Iraqi freedom and operation enduring freedom. Journal of orthopaedic trauma, 21(4), 254-257.
Perry, W. L., Darilek, R. E., Rohn, L. L., & Sollinger, J. M. (2015). Operation Iraqi Freedom: Decisive War, Elusive Peace. RAND ARROYO CENTER SANTA MONICA CA SANTA MONICA United States.
Veteran Tributes (2021). Alwyn C. “Al” Cashe. http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=3
Wilson, C. (2005, November). Improvised explosive devices in Iraq: effects and countermeasures. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE.
Woods, K. M. (2006). Iraqi Perspectives project: A view of Operation Iraqi freedom from Saddam’s senior leadership. United States Joint Forces Command Joint Center for Operational Analysis.
Appendix
DETAILS
- RANK: SERGEANT FIRST CLASS
- CONFLICT/ERA: WAR ON TERRORISM (IRAQ)
- UNIT/COMMAND:
COMPANY A, 1ST BATTALION, 15TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 3RD BRIGADE,
3RD INFANTRY DIVISION - MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. ARMY
- MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: OCTOBER 17, 2005
- MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: SALAH AD BIN PROVINCE, IRAQ
MoH CITATION
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 flames. During the course of extinguishing the flames on the driver and extracting him from the vehicle, Sergeant First Class Cashe’s fuel-soaked uniform ignited and caused severe burns to his body. Ignoring his painful wounds, Sergeant First Class Cashe then moved to the rear of the vehicle to continue 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 most 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 in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.