George Dewey - Hero

Hero

Returning to the United States in 1899, he received a hero's welcome. New York City's September 1899 welcome home celebration for Dewey was a two-day parade. When Boston paid tribute, he was greeted at City Hall by 280 singers from the Handel and Haydn Society who sang the anthem "See the Conquering Hero Comes" from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus. By act of Congress he was promoted to the special rank of Admiral of the Navy in 1903 with his date of rank retroactive to 1899. A special military decoration, the Battle of Manila Bay Medal (commonly called the Dewey Medal), was struck in honor of his victory at Manila Bay and awarded to every officer, Sailor and Marine present at the battle. The medals were designed by Daniel Chester French and produced by Tiffany's. Each medal was engraved with the recipient's ship, name and rank. Since his own image appeared on the obverse of the medal, Dewey wore his medal reversed.

On October 3, 1899 Dewey was presented a special sword by President McKinley in a ceremony at the Capitol building. Congress by unanimous votes authorized $10,000 to fund the gift shortly after the Battle of Manila Bay. The sword was custom-made by Tiffany's and elaborately decorated. Its hilt and fittings were made of 22 carat gold. The sword is now on display at the Navy museum at the Washington Navy Yard. The presentation of the sword was followed by a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.

On November 9, 1899, Dewey was married for the second time to Mrs. Mildred M. Hazen in the rectory of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. Since Mrs. Hazen was Catholic and Dewey was not, they were not permitted to have their wedding inside a Catholic church.

Many suggested he run for President on the Democratic ticket in 1900. His candidacy was plagued by public relations missteps. He was quoted as saying the job of president would be easy since the chief executive was merely following orders in executing the laws enacted by Congress and that he would "execute the laws of Congress as faithfully as I have always executed the orders of my superiors." He admitted to never having voted in a presidential election. He drew yet more criticism when he offhandedly told a newspaper reporter that "Our next war will be with Germany." Dewey also angered some Protestants by marrying a Catholic and giving her the house that the nation had given him following the war. Dewey withdrew from the race in mid-May 1900 and endorsed William McKinley.

In 1900, after his withdrawal from the presidential race, he was named president of the newly established General Board of the Navy Department, which set basic policy. He served in this post until his death.

In later life he wore stylish clothes and a handlebar mustache. His inherited wealth allowed him to live in style. He often went horseback riding with Teddy Roosevelt in Washington's Rock Creek Park and he was a fellow member of Washington's prestigious Metropolitan Club.

Dewey was a member of the board of the Boy Scouts of America until his resignation in late 1910.

He died in Washington on January 16, 1917. He is interred in the Bethlehem Chapel, on the crypt level, at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.