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First Name: Carmel

Last Name: Harvey

Birthplace: Montgomery, WV, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Chicago, IL
Middle Name: Bernon



Date of Birth: 06 October 1946

Date of Death: 21 June 1967

Rank: Specialist 4

Years Served: 1965 - 1967
Carmel Bernon Harvey, Jr.

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Carmel Bernon Harvey, Jr.
Specialist Four, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Specialist Four Carmel Bernon Harvey, Jr. (6 October 1946 - 21 June 1967) was a U.S. Army soldier and was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War.

Carmel Bernon Harvey, Jr. was born on 6 October 1946 in Montgomery, WV. He joined the Army from his hometown in the Hegewisch community area of Chicago, IL. On 21 June 1967, he was serving as a specialist four in Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). During a firefight that day in Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, an enemy bullet hit and activated a hand grenade attached to Harvey's belt. Unable to remove the live device from his belt, he ran towards an enemy machinegun emplacement until the grenade exploded, killing him and momentarily halting the enemy's fire. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his action.

Medal of Honor

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4 Harvey distinguished himself as a fire team leader with Company B, during combat operations. Ordered to secure a downed helicopter, his platoon established a defensive perimeter around the aircraft, but shortly thereafter a large enemy force attacked the position from 3 sides. Sp4 Harvey and 2 members of his squad were in a position directly in the path of the enemy onslaught, and their location received the brunt of the fire from an enemy machine gun. In short order, both of his companions were wounded, but Sp4 Harvey covered this loss by increasing his deliberate rifle fire at the foe. The enemy machine gun seemed to concentrate on him and the bullets struck the ground all around his position. One round hit and armed a grenade attached to his belt. Quickly, he tried to remove the grenade but was unsuccessful. Realizing the danger to his comrades if he remained and despite the hail of enemy fire, he jumped to his feet, shouted a challenge at the enemy, and raced toward the deadly machine gun. He nearly reached the enemy position when the grenade on his belt exploded, mortally wounding Sp4 Harvey, and stunning the enemy machine gun crew. His final act caused a pause in the enemy fire, and the wounded men were moved from the danger area. Sp4 Harvey's dedication to duty, high sense of responsibility, and heroic actions inspired the others in his platoon to decisively beat back the enemy attack. His acts are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Purple Heart

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The name of Carmel Bernon Harvey, Jr. is inscribed on Panel 22E - Line 30.

Death and Burial

Specialist Four Carmel Bernon Harvey, Jr. was killed in action on 21 June 1967. He is buried at Cedar Park Cemetery in Calumet Park, Cook County, IL.



Honoree ID: 967   Created by: MHOH

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