The month of February marks the celebration of Black History Month. We are excited to highlight our Black Service Members during this month.
Kicking off this month, we chose Sergeant First Class Alwyn C. Cashe.
SFC Cashe earned his Medal of Honor during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cashe grew up in Oviedo, Fl. He joined the Army as a Supply Specialist shortly after graduating from highschool.
He enlisted on July 18, 1989.
His first two years were spent in the magical land of South Korea, followed by a change of station to Fort Lewis, Washington.
In 1993, Cashe changed careers to Infantryman and went right back to Korea, followed by a tour at Fort Hood, Texas.
After two years in Germany, Cashe graduated from Drill Sergeant School in 1998, and then spent two years on “the trail” at Fort Benning, GA. After his time as a DS, he spent some time in Europe, and then finally ended up as a platoon sergeant in 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in 2004.
Cashes deployments had included a Gulf War support tour in 1991, the 2003 invasion into Iraq, and finally, his 2005 deployment to support OIF in 2005.
On Oct 17, 2005, near Samarra, Iraq, SFC Cashe’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle was hit by an IED. Cashe retrieved six Soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter from a burning vehicle, where he received burns to more than 70% of his body.
SFC Alwyn Cashe was evacuated, but died a few weeks later on Nov. 8, 2005 at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas.
Cashe’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal with five knots, the National Defense Service with bronze star device, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, two NATO Medals, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Driver Badge and the Expert Rifle Marksmanship Badge.
SFC Cashe, thank you for your service and your dedication. Your bravery and your selfless service have set an example that we, no matter the service, can look up to and strive to reach in our lives.