Duane E. Dewey Va Clinic

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 8667, a bill to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Cadillac, Michigan, as the Duane E. Dewey VA Clinic introduced by Representative Moolenaar.

Risking his own life to protect his fellow marines, Corporal Dewey demonstrated incredible bravery while serving in the Korean war. His heroic service deserves to be memorialized in his home State of Michigan, and I am proud to support this bill to do just that.

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Mr. Dewey was a foundry worker at National Motor Casting at the beginning of the Korean war. Determined to support his Nation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1951 for an indefinite enlistment.

Corporal Dewey completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. He then underwent intensive combat training in Camp Pendleton, California.

At the completion of his training, Corporal Dewey deployed to Korea as a member of weapons platoon Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines in September 1951.

Corporal Dewey and the members of Company E participated in the United Nations summer-fall offensive of 1951 and in the second winter during the Korean war.

On April 16, 1952, Corporal Dewey and the roughly 80-member Company E found themselves under attack near Panmunjom, a village at the border between what is now North Korea and South Korea. Outnumbered by nearly 700 enemy forces, Corporal Dewey directed his machine gun squad to provide continuous suppressive fire.

As Corporal Dewey was being treated for wounds sustained by a grenade explosion, another grenade landed in their vicinity.

Despite his injuries, Corporal Dewey immediately alerted his machine gun squadron and the hospital corpsmen treating his wounds that a grenade had just landed.

Corporal Dewey launched himself on top of the grenade to minimize impact to his fellow marines, sacrificing his own safety and saving the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. The grenade exploded, lifting him off the ground and leaving serious wounds throughout his body.

Corporal Dewey was evacuated to hospitals in Japan and then back to the United States for treatment and rehabilitation for his serious shrapnel and gunshot wounds. He was released from Active Duty on August 19, 1952.

For his heroic actions, Corporal Dewey was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1953. He was the first person to be awarded the Medal of Honor by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who famously told Dewey that he ``must have a body of steel.''

The uncommon valor Corporal Dewey displayed while serving in Korea is worth our continued recognition and appreciation. His service is a reminder of the sacrifices that Americans from all walks of life have made in defense of our freedoms. It is fitting to honor his legacy by naming the VA clinic in Cadillac, Michigan, for Corporal Dewey.

Mr. Speaker, I support this important piece of legislation, and I ask my colleagues to do the same.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 8667 to designate the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Cadillac, Michigan, as the Duane E. Dewey VA clinic, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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