Cliff Buchan
News Editor

When Kevin Dunaway first joined the Marine Corps on Dec. 18, 1971, a good many of his fellow Marines had not been born.

But a full detachment of Marines of all ages from Marine Wing Support Squadron 471, Marine Wing Support Group 47, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve were in Forest Lake last Saturday to bid Dunaway a fond farewell.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kevin E. Dunaway stepped away from his nearly 33 years in the Marine Corps with a retirement ceremony at Forest Lake High School. Dunaway, 52, and his wife, Kathy, were the saluted guests before a flag carrying honor guard of Marines and a program led by Lt. Col. Lawrence L. White III.

The program paid honor to Dunawayís Marine career that spanned three major conflicts, starting with Vietnam at the time of his enlistment in 1971. His initial active duty stint lasted until July 1972 when he was assigned to Marine Reserve duty in Minneapolis.

He spent most of his reserve years with units in Minneapolis.

He was deployed on three occasions during the first Gulf War and the current Gulf War.

After completing Warrant Officer Basic School in Quantico, VA on Aug. 5, 1989, Dunaway rejoined Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 where he served as construction branch section leader.

He was called to active duty on Feb. 13, 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm. He served with the Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort, SC, during the first Gulf War.

Two more active duty deployments would follow.

From January to October in 2003, Dunaway served in Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom with an active duty. He was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station, New River, NC, and worked in logistics support activity at Camp Fox in Kuwait during the 10-month stint.

His third and final deployment came from August of 2004 to January of 2005. Dunaway was stationed at Al Asad Air Base, Al Anbar Province, Iraq, as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

His final day of service was May 30, 2005.

During the retirement and awards program Saturday, CWO4 Dunaway received the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (third award), Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (seventh award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (second award), Military Outstanding Volunteer Services Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (third award) and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with ìMî for mobilization (fourth award).

Lt. Col. White also gave special recognition Saturday to Kathy Dunaway for her support of her husbandís Marine career and for her efforts in working with the Marine support group during times of deployment.

Dunawayís parents, Harold and Beulah Dunaway, and Kevin and Kathyís sons Sean, Neil and Kyle and daughter Jenna and grandson Brendan were all on hand for the retirement program.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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