Captain Raymond Harvey was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 9, 1951 vicinity of Taemi-Dong, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with Company C, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Harvey was 31 years old.
The medal was presented on July 5, 1951. He later rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Harvey was born on March 1, 1920 in Ford City, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California. Harvey died on November 19, 1996 in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 76. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Harvey is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 142 credited to California.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Capt. Harvey, Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. When his company was pinned down by a barrage of automatic-weapons fire from numerous well-entrenched emplacements, imperiling accomplishment of its mission, Capt. Harvey braved a hail of fire and exploding grenades to advance to the first enemy machine-gun nest, killing its crew with grenades. Rushing to the edge of the next emplacement, he killed its crew with carbine fire. He then moved the 1st Platoon forward until it was again halted by a curtain of automatic fire from well-fortified hostile positions. Disregarding the hail of fire, he personally charged and neutralized a third emplacement. Miraculously escaping death from intense crossfire, Capt. Harvey continued to lead the assault. Spotting an enemy pillbox well-camouflaged by logs, he moved close enough to sweep the emplacement with carbine fire and throw grenades through the openings, annihilating its five occupants. Though wounded he then turned to order the company forward, and, suffering agonizing pain, he continued to direct the reduction of the remaining hostile positions, refusing evacuation until assured that the mission would be accomplished. Capt. Harvey's valorous and intrepid actions served as an inspiration to his company, reflecting the utmost glory upon himself and upholding the heroic traditions of the military service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Though wounded he then turned to order the company forward, and, suffering agonizing pain, he continued to direct the reduction of the remaining hostile positions, refusing evacuation until assured that the mission would be accomplished.
- Age at death: 76
- Resting place: Arlington National Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Raymond Harvey received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in California →
Timeline
- March 1, 1920Born in Ford City, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania
- March 9, 1951Act of valor — vicinity of Taemi-Dong, KoreaAge 31. Company C, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
- July 5, 1951Medal of Honor presented
- November 19, 1996Died in Scottsdale, ArizonaAge 76.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Raymond G. Harvey (March 1, 1920 – November 18, 1996) was a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army who served during World War II and the Korean War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 9, 1951.
From the Wikipedia article “Raymond Harvey”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
