Road renamed to honor local Marine

When a live grenade landed near his squadron, Cpl. Duane Dewey thought on his feet, shoving the grenade into his pocket to spare his fellow Marines.

It was an act of valor that won him the Medal of Honor in 1953.

On Friday, a Gainesville road was renamed in his honor.

A crowd of about 70 people attended the renaming ceremony, including Dewey himself, who wore civilian clothing and used a cane to stand.

Dewey, an 85-year-old Gainesville resident and Korean War veteran, smiled as Southeast 174th Place officially became Cpl. Duane E. Dewey Place.

The Alachua County Veteran Services organized the renaming.

“The fun part of the job is making a difference in the community,” said Kim Smith, the director of Alachua County Veteran Services.

Dewey, his wife of more than 60 years and his grandchildren all attended the road-naming ceremony.

Some guests even traveled from Michigan, his home state.

Among Dewey’s honors, he has been awarded a Purple Heart, a Combat Action Ribbon and the Medal of Honor, given to him by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Smith said.

The medal is the highest military honor, which is awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

Burt Wetherington, a 36-year-old Gainesville resident, said he attended the unveiling because his brother and best friend are also veterans.

“It means a lot to me, because it hits close to home,” he said.

Fast Facts: Cpl. Duane Dewey

• Joined: 1951
• Highest rank: Corporal
• Awards: The Purple Heart, the Medal of Honor, Combat Action Ribbon
• Wife: Bertha Dewey
• Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Just one tour of duty, being wounded ended his career.

Cpl. Duane E. Dewey, 81, addresses a small crowd gathered at the American Legion Haisley Lynch Post 16 in Gainesville in March 2013. Dewey was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1953 after his service in Panmunjom, Korea.