PARK RIDGE—The Park Ridge Police Department is proud to recognize Archibald “Archie” Harvey as a hometown hero, the department’s PRPD Veteran of the Quarter.
Harvey was born on March 5, 1931, in San Francisco, Calif. He was married to the late Margaret Harvey for 65 years. Together they had four children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
He began his enlisted career in the United States Navy in 1948 at 17 and served — proudly — for 23 years.
During his naval career he served in three wars: World War II during the European occupation, the Korean War, and Vietnam. In the Korean War he was a second-class boatswain’s mate and boat coxswain of a landing craft and participated in the fourth wave, landing troops into Inchon.
In Vietnam he volunteered for service with the brownwater Navy riverine patrol for operations in the Mekong Delta. His orders were pulled by the chief of naval operations, who needed seasoned chief petty officers. Harvey was then reassigned to a vessel, coming out of mothballs, that had not seen action since WWII — the USS New Jersey, the “Big J,” the only battleship recalled to duty during the Vietnam War. She was recommissioned in April 1968 and arrived in Southeast Asia that September. Harvey was in charge of 1st Division Deck.
During combat operations, Harvey was a mount captain, overseeing the loading and firing of the USS New Jersey’s mighty 16-inch guns in Turret 1.
On Thanksgiving Day in 1968, the captain of the battleship, J. Edward Snyder, asked for volunteers to go ashore and trade places with ground troops so they could enjoy Thanksgiving dinner aboard the USS New Jersey. Harvey volunteered to go ashore along with 29 junior enlisted men. Soon after the men landed, the Vietcong commenced a full attack on the Marines’ compound; Harvey assisted the Marines by returning fire on the enemy while ensuring that all his men were accounted for. As they scrambled to awaiting CH-46 helicopters, he was directed to get on the last helicopter out — and continued to return fire once aboard and the chopper rose.
Harvey served on the gun line in Vietnam on the USS New Jersey until April 1969.
In the Navy, he was the youngest to attain the rank of chief petty officer (E-7) — and in the least amount of time possible.
While he was in the Navy, Margaret and Archie bought their house from his father, Archibald Sr., in Park Ridge, where they raised their four children.
Archie worked for the Borough of Park Ridge, then began his next career, with the United States Postal Service.
During that time, he was asked to join the Park Ridge Police Reserve, where he enjoyed serving the community.
He also is a member of the local VFW, where he served as post commander. He retired after 25 years with the postal service and resides at his home in Park Ridge.
Of the PRPD Veteran of the Quarter program, Lt. James Babcock, of the Detective Bureau, Training, and Community Policing, tells partner Pascack Press, “Our own police officer veterans have been working hard, gathering the information.” The inaugural veteran recognized was Richard “Dick” Bozzone.
Police Capt. Joseph Rampolla tells Pascack Press, “It is life stories like this that need to be told so younger generations can appreciate the risks and sacrifices that others have made so we can live free.”
He adds, “Through my 27 years in law enforcement, Archie has always been warm, kind, and respectful to those he meets. We are fortunate to have a hometown hero among us.”
— Staff/PRPD