Colin C. Harvey

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Colin C. Harvey (834546), Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 16 September 1944. Observing the futile attempts of a medical corpsman to reach a wounded Marine when his company was under intense, persistent enemy rifle and machine-gun fire, Private First Class Harvey voluntarily and with complete disregard for his personal safety made his way forward to an exposed position for the purpose of diverting the hostile fire and covering the corpsman’s advance with his own fire and, while thus courageously engaging the enemy, was mortally wounded. By his splendid initiative, aggressive determination and unselfish efforts on behalf of another, Private First Class Harvey was responsible for the success of this vital mission, and his valiant conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Commander in Chief, Pacific Forces: (Serial 0395 (February 1, 1945)