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Cashe, 35, was on patrol on October 17, 2005 in Samarra, Iraq, when a roadside bomb exploded near the Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was in. The explosion ruptured the vehicle’s fuel cell, setting the vehicle on fire and covering Cashe with gasoline. Slightly injured, he crawled out of the shooter’s hatch.
Six soldiers were still inside the vehicle, which was on fire. Even though his uniform was soaked in fuel, Cashe helped rescue the soldiers from the vehicle and remove the body of an Iraqi translator killed by the blast.
In doing so, Cashe suffered second and third degree burns to 70% of his body. The Florida native died of his injuries on November 8, 2005 at a military hospital in San Antonio, Texas.
Three other soldiers – Staff Sgt.George Alexander Jr., 34, of Killeen Texas; Sgt. Michael Robertson, 28, of Houston; and SPC. Darren Howe, 21, of Beatrice, Nebraska – also died of burns suffered in the blast, according to the Department of Defense.
The bipartisan move to waive the five-year limit was sponsored by Democratic Representative from Florida Stephanie Murphy, who represents the home district of Cashe, and Republican Representatives Michael Waltz from Florida and Dan Crenshaw from Texas.
“Alwyn’s story of heroism has inspired so many and I look forward to his family receiving on his behalf the highest national honor for bravery in combat,” Murphy said in a statement.
“America will never be able to fully repay the ultimate debt paid by our heroes like Alwyn Cashe – but what we can do is honor them for their sacrifices. This is a monumental accomplishment for the family of ‘Alwyn, who has been waiting for this moment for 15 years, “Waltz said in the statement.
The President has the sole power to award the Medal of Honor, but this decision has received Pentagon support.
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