Seminole County

Rep. Stephanie Murphy requests Fort Benning be renamed in honor of Sgt. Alwyn Cashe

Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy penned a letter on Wednesday requesting that Fort Benning be renamed in honor of late Army Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe.

Cashe, a native of Oviedo, posthumously received the Medal of Honor last December for actions taken in Iraq on Oct. 17, 2005.

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On that day, according to his biography on the U.S. Army’s website, Cashe’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device near Samarra, Iraq.

Cashe retrieved six soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter from the burning vehicle, receiving burns on nearly 72% of his body. He died on Nov. 8, 2005, at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.

READ: Biden awards Oviedo native Sgt. Alwyn Cashe with Medal of Honor

In her letter, Murphy said she wants Cashe’s name to be considered by the naming commission as it weighs renaming options for at least nine Army installations, including Fort Benning.

Last year, Murphy said the naming commission solicited name recommendations from the general public, receiving over 34,000 submissions, including submissions of Cashe’s name.

READ: Central Florida veteran killed in action to receive long-awaited Medal of Honor

Murphy said renaming the base after Cashe would “appropriately reflect the courage, values and sacrifices” of the U.S. military, would be positively received by local stakeholders given SFC Cashe’s meaningful connection to the Fort Benning community, and would serve to “inspire and motivate our service members.”

“SFC Cashe is a legend in military circles, beloved in life and revered in death, a hero in the purest sense of the term,” Murphy wrote. “I believe he would be an honorable and unifying choice, and hope you will consider recommending him in your report to Congress.”

READ: Senate passes bill to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Central Florida Army Sergeant

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Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.