On Monday, Congressman John Moolenaar introduced legislation to rename the Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic in Cadillac after the late Corporal Duane E. Dewey, a United States Marine veteran, and Michigan native, according to a press release provided by Moolenaar’s office.
Dewey received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Dwight Eisenhower for his service in the Korean War.
“Corporal Dewey was extraordinarily brave, and his selfless sacrifice in the Korean War saved lives. Naming the VA clinic in Cadillac will remind others of his heroic actions and inspire more to learn about him and his story,” Moolenaar said. “There has been tremendous community support for this renaming and we must never forget the sacrifices made by the men and women who served in the Korean War. I believe the Duane E. Dewey VA Clinic will serve as a lasting reminder of Duane’s service to our nation.”
Moolenaar’s legislation is cosponsored by members of the Michigan Congressional delegation, including Representatives Jack Bergman, Bill Huizenga, Tim Walberg, Debbie Dingell, Dan Kildee, Lisa McClain, John James, Rashida Tlaib, and Shri Thanedar.
According to the release, the proposed legislation received support from veterans groups. The bill is endorsed by the American Legion Department of Michigan, the Michigan Disabled American Veterans, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Michigan. Moolenaar announced the legislation at American Legion Post 94 in Cadillac.
Eisenhower awarded Dewey the Congressional Medal of Honor on March 12, 1953, for his actions on April 16, 1952. Dewey’s citation can be found below.
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a gunner in a machine-gun platoon of Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces. When an enemy grenade landed close to his position while he and his assistant gunner were receiving medical attention for their wounds during a fierce night attack by numerically superior hostile forces, Cpl. Dewey, although suffering intense pain, immediately pulled the corpsman to the ground and, shouting a warning to the other marines around him, bravely smothered the deadly missile with his body, personally absorbing the full force of the explosion to save his comrades from possible injury or death. His indomitable courage, outstanding initiative, and valiant efforts on behalf of others in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon Cpl. Dewey and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”
The Amvets Post in Baldwin is named after Dewey, who was also honored previously with his likeness on a US Postage Stamp. The Duane E. Dewey Amvets Post No. 1988 of Baldwin has a permanent display of his military and personal items, including his Marine uniform, a baseball jersey with his name on it presented to him by the Chicago Cubs, an American flag, books, and more, according to a previous story in the Ludington Daily News.
Dewey described his actions in an interview with Shoreline Media correspondent David Barber when Dewey was honored with a plaque in Manistee.
“I’ve known many, many veterans who would have done the very same thing I did,” he said. “They wouldn’t have hesitated. They’d have grabbed that grenade and tucked it underneath themselves, too, to protect their fellow soldiers.
“We’re a country filled with everyday guys – regular guys – who are willing to do whatever it takes to save their buddies, and their country. Every veteran I’ve ever met, every one of them, is a hero in my eyes. They’re all great men and women.”
Dewey died on October 11, 2021.