Thomas H. Harvey Jr.

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Thomas H. Harvey Jr.
Nickname(s)Mike
Born(1936-09-15)September 15, 1936
Fort Hancock, New Jersey
DiedNovember 8, 2013(2013-11-08) (aged 77)
Enterprise, Alabama
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1958–1991
RankMajor General
Commands held9th Cavalry Brigade
3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsVietnam War
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Silver Star Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Purple Heart
Air Medal (53)

Thomas Henry "Mike" Harvey Jr. (September 15, 1936 – November 8, 2013)[1] was a major general in the United States Army. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in Vietnam in 1967.[2]

Early life and education[edit]

Born into an Army family at Fort Hancock in New Jersey, Harvey attended the Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, where he played ice hockey, lacrosse and football. He was captain of the hockey team in his senior year and graduated in 1954. Harvey was then appointed to the United States Military Academy, where he again played ice hockey and lacrosse. In 1958, he was a starter on Army's national champion lacrosse team and graduated with a B.S. degree in military science. Harvey attended Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker in Alabama from 1960 to 1961. He later earned an M.S. degree in political science from Kansas State University.[3][4][5][6]

Military career[edit]

Harvey served three combat tours in Vietnam. During his second tour, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on 16 April 1967 as a platoon leader with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Flying reconnaissance and air support for infantry ground operations near Đức Phổ, he supplied rocket and machine gun fire until his helicopter was damaged and low on fuel. Returning to base for a fresh helicopter, he rejoined the action until his second helicopter was damaged and one of his crew members was wounded. Returning to base to evacuate the wounded soldier, he again rejoined the action in a third helicopter.[2][5][7]

For his service in Vietnam, Harvey also received the Silver Star Medal, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart and 53 Air Medals.[3][4]

As a lieutenant colonel, Harvey served as commander of the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. As a colonel, he served as commander of the 9th Cavalry Brigade (Air Attack) at Fort Lewis in Washington State.[4][8]

Harvey's promotion to brigadier general was approved on 4 October 1984.[9] He served as assistant commander of the 2nd Infantry Division.[4]

Harvey's promotion to major general was approved on 1 July 1987.[10] He retired from active duty in 1991.[5]

In addition to his combat awards, Harvey received the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and three Army Meritorious Service Medals.[1][4]

Personal[edit]

Harvey was the son of Thomas Henry Harvey Sr. (17 August 1907 – 13 December 1980). His father was a 1932 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy who retired from active duty in 1962 as a colonel.[11][12]

Harvey's own son Thomas Henry "Todd" Harvey III also attended the Phillips Academy and served five years in the Army as a paratrooper and aviator. He then became a civilian employee of the U.S. Department of Defense.[5][13][14]

After his retirement, Harvey Jr. settled in El Paso, Texas. After about five years, he relocated to Enterprise, Alabama.[7]

After his death in Enterprise, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 24 April 2014.[1][7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Harvey, Thomas Henry". ANCExplorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  2. ^ a b "Thomas Henry Harvey". Military Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  3. ^ a b "Class of 1958—Register of Graduates". Official Register of the Officers and Cadets. United States Military Academy. 1969. p. 748. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Brigadier General Thomas H. Harvey, Jr". Army Executive Biographies. Headquarters, Department of the Army. 1985. p. 671. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  5. ^ a b c d "Thomas H. Harvey Jr". Andover Athletics Hall of Honor 2013 Induction Ceremony. Phillips Academy Andover. 15 June 2013. p. 9. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  6. ^ "National Champions". United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  7. ^ a b c "Harvey, Thomas". Dothan Eagle. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  8. ^ Harvey Jr., Thomas H. (December 1981). "9th CBAA: Mission First". U.S. Army Aviation Digest. Vol. 27, no. 12. p. 40. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  9. ^ "PN1136 — Army — 98th Congress (1983-1984)". U.S. Congress. 4 October 1984. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  10. ^ "PN415 — Army — 100th Congress (1987-1988)". U.S. Congress. 1 July 1987. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  11. ^ "Class of 1932—Register of Graduates". Official Register of the Officers and Cadets. United States Military Academy. 1969. p. 430. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  12. ^ "COL Thomas Henry Harvey". Find A Grave. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  13. ^ Order of Exercises at Exhibition (PDF). Andover, Massachusetts: Phillips Academy. 5 June 1980. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
  14. ^ "Thomas H. Harvey III". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2021-07-23.
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