Pasadena ceremony honors Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Raymond G. Harvey

A presenter in Pasadena marked National Medal of Honor Day by honoring Lieutenant Colonel Raymond G. Harvey, praising his service in World War II and the Korean War and recounting the March 9, 1951 actions near Ta Dong that led to the Medal of Honor.

The presenter said Harvey ‘‘earned our nation's highest military recognition, the Medal of Honor,’’ and listed other decorations he received, noting Harvey called Pasadena home. According to the presenter, Harvey also earned the Distinguished Service Cross, three Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts during his military career.

The remarks recounted that, during the Korean War on March 9, 1951, then-Captain Harvey led Charlie Company in an assault on a well-fortified enemy position on Hill 1232 near Ta Dong. The presenter said Harvey repeatedly exposed himself to intense fire, personally assaulted enemy positions with grenades, destroyed multiple bunkers and continued from position to position until the objective was secured, actions that ‘‘broke the enemy defense and inspired his men to victory.’’

The presenter connected Harvey’s battlefield conduct to his broader legacy, invoking his Chickasaw heritage and saying that the warrior spirit ‘‘now echoes in our shared American story.’’ The ceremony included a series of exhortations from the presenter to the audience: ‘‘Stand unbowed. Fight with a heart wide open. Protect the vulnerable. Lead with quiet valor. Love fiercely. And serve without end.’’

Closing the remarks, the presenter urged the community to ensure Harvey’s legacy ‘‘not rest in bronze alone’’ but to teach it to children and live it through acts of kindness and courage. The event was framed as a local observance of National Medal of Honor Day and a moment to reflect on the service of a Pasadena resident who received the nation’s highest military award.

No formal votes or actions were recorded during the ceremony.