Today the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee unanimously approved a bill introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy to name a U.S. post office in Oviedo, Fla., after Army Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe. Murphy filed the bill in January to honor the memory of Sergeant First Class Cashe, who was raised in Oviedo and who was posthumously awarded a Silver Star for his heroic actions in combat. The bill must now be considered by the full U.S. House before being considered by the Senate.
“Sergeant First Class Cashe’s story is one of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice, and I am encouraged by the progress we are making to memorialize his life and legacy,” said Murphy. “I’m grateful to my colleagues on the committee for recognizing Sergeant First Class Cashe and moving us one step closer to honoring this fallen warrior and son of Oviedo.”
In 2005, while deployed to Iraq, Sergeant First Class Cashe saved multiple soldiers after their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device and caught fire. Sergeant First Class Cashe returned to the burning vehicle again and again to pull his soldiers out of the flames, all while he himself was on fire and exposed to incoming enemy gunfire. He later passed away as a result of his wounds. Murphy’s bill would designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 567 E. Franklin St. in Oviedo, Fla., as the “Sergeant First Class Alwyn Crendall Cashe Post Office Building.” Separately, Murphy is supportive of ongoing efforts to upgrade Sergeant First Class Cashe’s Silver Star to the Medal of Honor, the highest award that the military bestows and a decoration that no African-American has received since 1969.
Murphy delivered a speech in January on the House floor to honor Sergeant First Class Cashe. Click here to watch a video of Murphy’s speech or click here to read Murphy’s speech.
