GAINESVILLE, FL – Today, Congresswoman Kat Cammack announced this year’s Veteran of the Year as Mr. Duane Dewey, a Medal of Honor recipient, for his courageous actions during the Korean War in 1952.
Known as the “Man of Steel” in Florida’s Third Congressional District, Corporal Duane Edgar Dewey received the Medal of Honor in March 1953 from President Dwight D. Eisenhower following his heroic actions near Panmunjom, Korea with the machine gun platoon of Company E of the United States Marine Corps.
When an enemy grenade landed close to his position while he and his assistant gunner received medical attention for their wounds during a night attack, Corporal Dewey pulled his fellow corpsman to the ground, shouted a warning to the other Marines around him, and bravely smothered the deadly missile with his body, personally absorbing the full force of the explosion to save the lives of those around him. When accepting the Medal of Honor from President Eisenhower after significant months of recuperation, the president joked, “you must be made of steel,” and the nickname stuck.
Corporal Dewey was a fixture in the North Central Florida community, where he spent several months out of the year when not in his home state of Michigan. He was a member of the Korean War Veterans Association in Gainesville and known for his friendship, bravery, and support of his fellow veterans, often bashful about his service record to the point that few even knew they were in the presence of a recognized hero.
“It is only fitting that the inaugural Veteran of the Year is one of the bravest men to have served our country,” said Rep. Cammack. “During an incredibly harrowing time, Cpl. Dewey willingly sacrificed himself to save the lives of the men around him, setting a tremendous example for service and bravery. We were so lucky to have him in our part of Florida for many years, and I know we will continue to miss him dearly. Thank you, sir.”
Corporal Dewey passed away earlier this year in St. Augustine, Florida on October 11. He is survived by two children, two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and dozens of family members and friends.
Congresswoman Cammack has flown a flag over the U.S. Capitol in Corporal Dewey’s memory, entered his courageous story into the Congressional Record, and will honor him in a speech on the House Floor in January.
Congresswoman Cammack thanks the community for submitting their entries for this year’s Veteran of the Year award and looks forward to continuing this tradition for years to come.
