Carl Cash was the son of Sicilian immigrants who settled on Goat Hill in Pueblo, Colorado. His parents, eager to raise American children, spoke only English outside the home and instilled in their family the values of hard work, faith, and patriotism. Carl grew up surrounded by the tight-knit Goat Hill community, playing baseball and bocce with the neighborhood kids, attending Mt. Carmel Catholic Church (where he would later marry his wife), and excelling in sports at Centennial High School—football, basketball, and track.
In 1943, fresh out of high school, Carl enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the height of World War II. After completing seven weeks of basic training, he was assigned to convoy duty in the southwest Pacific, where he served as a radio bomber and radio runner aboard a Douglas Dive Bomber.
Carl’s combat record is one of uncommon courage. He participated in a fierce sea battle off the coast of Bougainville and was among the first American forces to land during the island’s invasion on November 1, 1943. He remained on the island for 53 days under relentless conditions until he was severely wounded in action. Carl was evacuated and treated in hospitals across Guadalcanal, New Zealand, Australia, and eventually back in the United States, where he continued his recovery in naval hospitals in Oakland and Santa Cruz before finally returning home.
For his service and sacrifice, Carl Cash was awarded the Purple Heart, a symbol of the wounds he endured in defense of his country. Even more notably, he received the Presidential Unit Citation twice for extraordinary heroism and collective excellence during the Bougainville campaign—an honor awarded only to units that display exceptional performance under combat conditions. These commendations stand as a lasting testament to Carl’s bravery, resilience, and devotion to duty.
Carl passed away in May 1982 from acute leukemia. He is buried near many of his friends and family from Goat Hill—among the people and place that shaped the foundation of his life. His memory lives on, proudly honored and spoken of by his only granddaughter, who ensures that his legacy of sacrifice and service continues to be remembered and respected.
