Medal of Honor: Carmel Bernon Harvey, Jr. – Vietnam War – June 21, 1967

Name: Carmel Bernon Harvey, Jr.
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Branch: U.S. Army
War: Vietnam War
Unit: Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
Date of Action: June 21, 1967
Location: Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam

Summary of Action

On 21 June 1967, Specialist Fourth Class Carmel Bernon Harvey, Jr., served as a fire team leader with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment during combat operations in Binh Dinh Province.

His platoon had been ordered to secure a downed helicopter and established a defensive perimeter around the aircraft. Shortly afterward, a large enemy force launched a determined attack against the position from three sides.

Harvey and two members of his squad occupied a position directly in the path of the enemy assault and quickly became the focus of intense machine-gun fire.

Within moments, both of his companions were wounded.

Refusing to abandon his position, Harvey increased his deliberate rifle fire against the advancing enemy in an effort to protect the wounded soldiers.

Enemy machine-gun fire continued to concentrate on his location, with bullets striking the ground all around him.

During the engagement, a bullet struck and armed a grenade attached to his belt.

Recognizing the deadly danger not only to himself but to the wounded men beside him, Harvey immediately attempted to remove the grenade.

Unable to free it and realizing that the grenade would soon detonate, he made a split-second decision.

Rather than remain among his wounded comrades, he rose to his feet under heavy enemy fire, shouted a challenge toward the enemy, and charged directly at the machine-gun position.

He nearly reached the enemy emplacement when the grenade exploded.

The blast mortally wounded Harvey and stunned the enemy machine-gun crew.

His selfless act momentarily halted the enemy fire, allowing his wounded comrades to be removed from the danger area and helping his platoon successfully repel the attack.

Specialist Fourth Class Carmel B. Harvey, Jr.'s courage, devotion to his fellow soldiers, and willingness to sacrifice his own life to save others reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

HARVEY, CARMEL BERNON, JR.

Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).

Place and date: Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 21 June 1967.

Entered service at: Chicago, Illinois.

Born: 6 October 1946, Montgomery, West Virginia.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Specialist Fourth Class 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 three sides. Specialist Fourth Class Harvey and two 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 Specialist Fourth Class 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 Specialist Fourth Class 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. Specialist Fourth Class 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 United States Army.