Dad Mode in Combat: The Heroism of Sgt. 1st Class Alwyn Cashe

On October 17th, 2005, during his second tour in Iraq, Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe faced the unthinkable. A sandstorm forced his unit off aerial patrols and into Bradley Fighting Vehicles along a dangerous supply route near Samarra. When an improvised explosive device tore through his vehicle, igniting its fuel and trapping his men inside, Cashe—already soaked in fuel—ran headlong into enemy fire and an inferno to save them.

In this episode, we recount the minute-by-minute events of that night:

• The deadly conditions along the route to Balad Air Base.

• The devastating IED blast and the chaos that followed.

• Cashe’s relentless rescue of all six soldiers and the interpreter—while on fire himself.

• His refusal to accept medical treatment until every one of his men was evacuated.

This is more than a war story. It’s a story of devotion, leadership, and love for those under your charge. Cashe’s actions that night would become one of the most extraordinary acts of heroism in modern military history—embodying the soldier’s creed: I will never leave a fallen comrade.