Carmel Bernon Harvey Jr.

In a final act of courage during the Vietnam War, U.S. Army Specialist Four Carmel Bernon Harvey Jr. sacrificed his life to protect wounded comrades during a fierce enemy attack on 21 June 1967. His actions earned him the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration.

Born on 6 October 1946 in Montgomery, West Virginia, Harvey grew up in Page before moving with his family to Chicago. After graduating from Washington High School in 1965, he entered the U.S. Army. He began his Vietnam tour in October 1966 and served as an infantry fire-team leader with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).

Harvey survived an enemy booby-trap injury in early 1967 and returned to combat duty. On 21 June, his platoon was ordered to secure a downed helicopter in Bình Định Province. Enemy forces attacked the defensive perimeter from three sides, wounding two soldiers positioned beside him. Harvey maintained his rifle fire despite concentrated enemy machine-gun fire.

An enemy bullet struck and armed a grenade attached to Harvey's belt. Unable to remove it, he recognized the danger to his wounded comrades. He rose under fire and charged toward the enemy machine-gun position. The grenade exploded before he reached it, mortally wounding him. His courageous action momentarily disrupted the enemy fire, allowing the wounded soldiers to be moved to safety and helping his platoon repel the attack.

Harvey was twenty years old. President Richard Nixon presented his posthumous Medal of Honor to his parents at the White House on 16 October 1969. His sacrifice remains a distinguished example of courage, responsibility and devotion to fellow soldiers.