TFH 6/21: A downed helicopter, a rescue mission, and two brave soldiers

The United States Army's 1st Cavalry Division has a long and storied history. During the Vietnam War, the division was our Army's first airmobile unit employing large numbers of helicopters on the battlefield. Early assault helicopters, like the UH-1 Iroquois ("Huey"), were lightly armored if at all and were particularly vulnerable to enemy fires from the ground.

On this day in 1967 - exactly 45 years ago - one of the 1st Cavalry Division's helicopters was shot down and a platoon from Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment ("Black Knights") was sent to secure it and rescue survivors.

Carmel Bernon Harvey, Jr. was drafted into the Army in 1965. He was a Specialist Four with B/1/5 Cav and a rifleman. Edgar Lee McWethy, Jr. was drafted in 1964 and was one of B/1/5 Cav's medics. Both of these brave soldiers went above and beyond the normal call of duty around that downed helicopter, and well, I'll just let their Medal of Honor citations speak for themselves.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War (A-L):


*HARVEY, CARMEL BERNON, JR.


Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and date: Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 21 June 1967. Entered service at: Chicago, Ill. Born: 6 October 1946, Montgomery, W. Va. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. 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 3 sides. Sp4c. Harvey and 2 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 Sp4c. 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 Sp4c. 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. Sp4c. 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 U.S. Army.

Specialist Harvey's name appears on Panel 22E, Line 30 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He rests in peace at the Cedar Park Cemetery, Calumet City, Illinois.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Vietnam War (M-Z):


*MCWETHY, EDGAR LEE, JR.


Rank and organization: Specialist Fifth Class, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). place and date: Binh Dinh province, Republic of Vietnam, 21 June 1967. Entered service at: Denver, Colo. Born: 22 November 1944, Leadville, Colo. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Serving as a medical aidman with Company B, Sp5c. McWethy accompanied his platoon to the site of a downed helicopter. Shortly after the platoon established a defensive perimeter around the aircraft, a large enemy force attacked the position from 3 sides with a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire and grenades. The platoon leader and his radio operator were wounded almost immediately, and Sp5c. McWethy rushed across the fire-swept area to their assistance. Although he could not help the mortally wounded radio operator, Sp5c. McWethy's timely first aid enabled the platoon leader to retain command during this critical period. Hearing a call for aid, Sp5c. McWethy started across the open toward the injured men, but was wounded in the head and knocked to the ground. He regained his feet and continued on but was hit again, this time in the leg. Struggling onward despite his wounds, he gained the side of his comrades and treated their injuries. Observing another fallen rifleman Lying in an exposed position raked by enemy fire, Sp5c. McWethy moved toward him without hesitation. Although the enemy fire wounded him a third time, Sp5c. McWethy reached his fallen companion. Though weakened and in extreme pain, Sp5c. McWethy gave the wounded man artificial respiration but suffered a fourth and fatal wound. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and demonstrated concern for his fellow soldiers, Sp5c. McWethy inspired the members of his platoon and contributed in great measure to their successful defense of the position and the ultimate rout of the enemy force. Sp5c. McWethy's profound sense of duty, bravery, and his willingness to accept extraordinary risks in order to help the men of his unit are characteristic of the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

Edgar Lee McWethy, Jr. today rests in peace at Pence Cemetery in Baxter Springs, Kansas. His name also appears on Panel 22E of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, just two lines below Harvey's.

1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry today is constituted as a combined-arms battalion with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team ("Black Jack") of the 1st Cavalry Division. Their home station is Fort Hood, Texas.