Roadway being renamed for hometown hero

Washington County

A portion of a street in Irondale will be named after a hometown hero killed in war, Patrick Hurley.

Sgt. Major Hurley grew up in Irondale and was killed in action in 1991 during Desert Storm. He was honored this year with induction into the United States Army Ranger Hall of Fame.

At 11 a.m. Monday, on Veterans Day, the city of Irondale will host a ceremony commemorating the renaming of a portion of South Oak Street to SGM Patrick Hurley Drive.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will take place at the intersection of Route M and South Oak. A ceremony will follow at city hall at 110 Oak Street.

Hurley entered the Army in 1972. During his career he received numerous awards including the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal.

He was killed while returning from a Special Forces mission on Feb. 21, 1991, during Operation Desert Storm. His death is listed as a “non-hostile death.”