The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Raymond Lee McGarvey, who died in the service of his country on July 3rd, 1966 in Pleiku Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Raymond was 20 years of age. He was from Transfer, Pennsylvania. Raymond is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 08E, Line 125.
The decorations earned by PFC Raymond Lee McGarvey include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Burial:
Fruit Hill Cemetery
Ansonville
Clearfield County
Pennsylvania, USA
(From His Obituary)
A Pymatuning Township soldier was killed Sunday in the fighting in South Viet Nam. PFC Raymond Lee McGarvey, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. McGarvey of J.-C. Trailer Court, Route 18, had served in Vietnam the last two months.
Born May 7, 1946 in Berwindale, Clearfield County, the young soldier graduated form B.C. high school in Coolport, PA. He was active in Future farmers of America and 4H.
Moving with his family to the Transfer, PA area two years ago, PFC McGarvey was employed at Greenville Steel Car Company prior to entering the Army.
He underwent basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and advanced training at Fort Polk, LA. The youth made it a daily practice to write his parents.
The death of PFC McGarvey was the first in Vietnam fighting for the immediate Greenville area.
In addition to his parents, PFC McGarvey is survived by a brother, Walter James of Greenville; and his grandfather, R.V. McGarvey of Berwindale.
PFC McGarvey was a member of Fruit Hill Presbyterian Church, Clearfield County.
(His BSV Citation)
General Orders 94, 3rd Brigade Task Force 25th Division, 19 August 1966
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Private First Class McGarvey distinguished himself by heroic actions 3 July 1966 in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date Private First Class McGarvey was serving as a rifleman in the 3rd Platoon, B, 1/35th Infantry which was on a search and destroy mission. His unit was ambushed by at least a reinforced North Vietnamese company; coming under intense fire and surrounded. Moving to a forward position, Private First Class McGarvey brought fire on the enemy inflicting many casualties. Seeing an enemy machine gun that was delivering particularly effective fire on his comrades, he moved to a better position in an effort to silence it. He continued his advance until within twenty meters of the bunker and then single-handedly charged the fortified machinegun position. In this act of great valor Private First Class McGarvey lost his life to enemy machine gun fire. His courage was an inspiration to all who saw it and strengthened the determination of his comrades to resist, despite the heavy odds they faced that day. This outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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