Harry Aloysius Harvey was born in McComb, Mississippi, Janu ary 9, 1890. He was appointed a cadet to the United States Military Academy from the 7th Mississippi District in 1911, and graduated June 12, 1915. Appointed a Second Lieutenant, 1st Cavalry, promoted First Lieutenant, 1st Cavalry, July, 1916; transferred to the 24th Cavalry in June, 1917.

He afterwards transferred to the 18th Field Artillery, receiving his Captaincy in May, 1917. Captain Harvey went to France with his regiment, arriving at St. Nazaire, May 12, 1918, in command of Battery A, 18th Field Artillery. He was appointed Major in the National Army July 4th, 1918, retaining command of his battery with which he went in position in support of the 3rd Division in the battle of the Marne. He participated in the Champagne-Marne defensive, July 15-16, and the Aisne-Marne offensive, July 18th, on taking successive positions north and east near Mont St. Pere, Jaulgonne and Charmel where the 3rd Division was withdrawn.

On August 3, 1918, Major Harvey was transferred to the 103rd Field Artillery, and assigned to the second battery. With this battery he went into position September llth, participating in St. Mihiel offensive, September 12th, on which day he was instantly killed by a hostile shell while making a reconnaissance of territory from which the enemy had been driven. He is now buried in United States Military Academy Post Cemetery, West Point, Orange County, New York, USA

He was awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 18th Field Artillery, 3d Division, A.E.F., near Chateau-Thierry, France, July 14 - 15, 1918. During the bombardment preceding the enemy attack across the Marne the position of Battery A, 18th field Artillery, was subjected to heavy artillery fire for a period of four hours. All communications were destroyed and the ammunition dump destroyed by hostile fire. Throughout the enemy bombardment, Captain Harvey kept his battery in action, exposing himself to concentrated enemy artillery fire in order to replenish his ammunition supply, and delivered an effective fire on the enemy.

Source of information: http://forwhattheygaveonsaturdayafternoon.com/wp-kia1915/harry-aloysius-harvey, https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/12377