UNITED STATES – Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe is being remembered once again for one of the most selfless acts of the Iraq War. In October 2005, Cashe repeatedly went back into a burning Bradley Fighting Vehicle to pull out six soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter, even as his own body was engulfed in flames. He suffered burns over 72% of his body and died weeks later. His story has resurfaced online as people share his sacrifice.
Bradley Fighting Vehicle Bursts Into Flames After Roadside Bomb in Iraq
On October 17, 2005, Cashe’s Bradley was struck by a roadside bomb near Samarra, Iraq. The blast ruptured the vehicle’s fuel cell and set it ablaze, trapping soldiers inside. The attack happened while his unit was on patrol.
Cashe was soaked in fuel as he climbed out of the gunner’s hatch. Despite the danger, he immediately turned back to help the men still inside. He was serving with the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division at the time.
Cashe Re-Entered Burning Vehicle Again and Again While on Fire
Even as his fuel-soaked uniform caught fire, Cashe kept going back into the burning vehicle. He pulled out six soldiers and the Iraqi interpreter one by one. The flames caused severe burns across much of his body.
He refused to stop until everyone was out of the Bradley. His actions came while the unit was also under enemy fire, according to military accounts. His determination saved lives that day.
Burns Covered 72% of His Body as First Words Asked About His Soldiers
Cashe suffered second- and third-degree burns over 72% of his body. According to the post, his first words were to ask how his boys were doing.
He was flown to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, for treatment. He died there on November 8, 2005, about three weeks after the attack. Doctors worked to save him, but his injuries proved too severe. He was 35 years old.
Medal of Honor Awarded 16 Years Later After Long Push by Supporters
Cashe initially received the Silver Star for his actions. For years, his family, fellow soldiers, and lawmakers pushed for the award to be upgraded. Supporters argued his bravery deserved the nation’s highest honor.
In December 2021, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for valor. Cashe was the first Black service member to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. He was from Oviedo, Florida, where a post office now bears his name. His legacy continues to inspire service members across the country.
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