Rank: Specialist 4
Unit: Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11B – Infantryman
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal with Eight Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, with Valor Device, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Army Aircrew Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Note: OH-6A, Tail # 66-17767, Crew Chief
Enlisted by: Selected Service
Date of birth: 1-Jun-1948
Hometown: Burlingame, California
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 30-Nov-1967
Start of tour: 11-May-1968
Incident date: 27-Apr-1969
Date of casualty: 27-Apr-1969
Age at death: 20
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Helicopter Crash — Crew (MC). Aircraft loss, crash not at sea.
Jeffery Arnold Harvey was killed while crew chief on a military aircraft on a military mission when the aircraft was hit by hostile ground fire, crashed and burned. / Crew chief on light observation helicopter (LOH) on visual reconnaissance mission when received hostile ground fire. Aircraft crashed and burned.
Two Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
CPT Bertrand Jahn Dacey
SP4 Jeffery Arnold Harvey
Location of fatality: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam, XT 425 790
Place of interment: Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle, Washington, USA
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DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
POSTHUMOUS
SPECIALIST FOUR JEFFREY ARNOLD HARVEY
27 APRIL 1969
AIR CAVALRY TROOP
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Specialist Four Harvey distinguished himself for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 27 April 1969 while serving as an aerial observer with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date Specialist Harvey’s light observation helicopter was called to support friendly ground troops that had come in contact with a large enemy force. As the aircraft made low level passes over the enemy positions, Specialist Harvey disregarding the intense enemy fire, leaned out of the aircraft in order to mark the positions for air strikes. In spite of the intense fire directed at the helicopter he continually placed devastating suppressive fire on the hostile positions so that the friendly force could safely withdraw. As it made a final pass over the area the aircraft was hit by a burst of hostile fire. Specialist Harvey was fatally injured in the ensuing crash. Specialist Four Harvey’s outstanding courage and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 1432 (June 9, 1969)
ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
SPECIALIST FOUR JEFFREY ARNOLD HARVEY
20 MARCH 1969
AIR CAVALRY TROOP
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Specialist Four Harvey distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 20 March 1969 while serving as an aerial observer with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while the helicopter on which he was serving was providing support for a friendly ground force, the pilot received word to evacuate several casualties. As the aircraft descended through the surrounding trees, Specialist Harvey exposed himself to the intense hostile fire in order to guide the pilot into the dangerously small landing zone. After helping load several of the wounded on board, Specialist Harvey remained on the ground to prepare the casualties for evacuation and guide the helicopter when it returned. For an hour he exposed himself to the enemy fire in order to assist in the evacuations and left the battle area only once in order to administer first aid to a wounded comrade enroute to the evacuation hospital. Specialist Four Harvey’s courage and deep concern for his comrades were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 1253 (23 May 1969)