Pentagon to Award Medal of Honor to Alwyn C. Cashe
September 09, 2020
Editor’s Note (9/22/2020): U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill authorizing the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe.
Editor’s Note (12/16/2021): President Joe Biden will present the Medals of Honor, the nation’s highest military award, to Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe, Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz, and Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee. Cashe and Celiz died as a result of the actions and will be posthumously awarded. Plumlee will receive the honor in person at the White House.
In a recent announcement by the Pentagon, they have recommended a posthumous Medal of Honor award for Sergeant 1st Class Alwyn C. Cashe. On October 17, 2005, Cashe and his squad were struck by an IED in Iraq. Realizing the fuel cell in their Bradley Fighting Vehicle had erupted into flames, and with no regard for his safety, Cashe repeatedly entered the burning vehicle to save his fellow soldiers; suffering fatal burns covering 72% of his body. Later taken to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio – known for their combat burn treatment facility – Alwyn C. Cashe would pass away on November 5, 2005.
After a letter sent to members of Congress taking this case, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper praised Cashe and that his actions “merit award of the Medal of Honor.” With approval from the Pentagon, as well as the Army, the ultimate approval now rests on the Commander-In-Chief; who ultimately has the final say regarding Medal of Honor proposals.
Cashe, an Oviedo, Florida native, will be the first African American recipient of the award for combat valor in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts – if approved. It’s been known that those in the military community look at Cashe as one of the great heroes emerging from the Iraq War. His name was even recommended to replace one of the 10 Army installations named after Confederate military officers.
The only factor potentially impeding this award recommendation could be its timing. Since there is a five-year time limit to award the Medal of Honor from the date of a service member’s actions; and Cashe’s occurred nearly 15 years ago. Esper is requesting Congress to forgo this time limit.
While we have full confidence the administration will recognize Sergeant Cashe’s acts of heroism and sacrifice, we hope this award request is met with a resounding “Yes!” Because one way or another, Alwyn Cashe will receive the hero’s honor that he so truly deserves.
Editor’s Note:
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020: U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill authorizing the President to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe.
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2021: President Joe Biden will present the Medals of Honor, the nation’s highest military award, to Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe, Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz and Master Sgt. Earl Plumlee. Cashe and Celiz died as a result of the actions and will be posthumously awarded. Plumlee will receive the honor in person at the White House.