1LT CLEVELAND RAY HARVEY

Chip Morin
chippermorin@comcast.net
Friend and fellow, Recon., Marine Lt.
28543, Tulita Lane, Menifee, CA., 92584, USA
Hey Buddy!
"Butch" Harvey was, a fellow, Recon., Marine and friend. On Nov., 18, 1970, one, of our teams made contact with NVA., in the Que Son, Mountains. The team corpsman, broke his leg during the heavy, firefight and the team called, for emergency extract. Our SOP's., called for the senior, Lt., in the company to lead, the rescue operation. As the extract, chopper pilots, were being briefed, the Recon., extract team, loaded up in the LZ., of Camp Reasoner. (base, of First, Marine Div., hill) When "Butch" realized, I was set to lead the rescue, op., he also realized I was one, of the junior, Lt's., in the Bn.. He ordered me off, the chopper and took, my place. His last words were, "the boys are going, to be thirsty, after this one." He then handed me all the cash, in his pocket and told me to go, to Freedom Hill (PX.) and buy, all the beer, I could get. By the time I got back, 30, mins., later, I was told the chopper, was down. "Butch" took my place, on that bird that day- he was a great, Marine Officer and I wish, I could have known him, longer. I was assigned only once, to gather the personal effects, of a KIA., Marine - and it was an honor, to do that for "Butch's," wife and family. I will never forget the impact, of that loss. Lt., Butch Harvey was on, the same chopper with 13, other United States, Marines and a US., Navy corpsman, that day-all gave their lives, for their country and their fellow servicemen- all died, as they lived, heroes. I want you guys to know, we flew non stop, trying to find you. We found you and brought you, home! Oh, that each of us live our lives, to honor those, of our friends that fell, that day! Semper Fi, Butch!
Sunday, October 05, 2003