Carmel was born in Montgomery, West Virginia, on the 6th of October 1946, and he grew up with his two brothers and two sisters in Chicago, Illinois. When he enlisted in the US Army, he did so from Chicago in 1965 and within two years he was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). It was his action on the 21st of June 1967, that would cost him his life and earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Harvey distinguished himself as a fire team leader with Company B, during combat operations. Ordered to secure a downed helicopter, his platoon established a defensive perimeter around the aircraft, but shortly thereafter a large enemy force attacked the position from three sides. Sp4c. Harvey and two members of his squad were in a position directly in the path of the enemy onslaught, and their location received the brunt of the fire from an enemy machine gun. In short order, both of his companions were wounded, but Sp4c. Harvey covered this loss by increasing his deliberate rifle fire at the foe. The enemy machine gun seemed to concentrate on him and the bullets struck the ground all around his position. One round hit and armed a grenade attached to his belt. Quickly, he tried to remove the grenade but was unsuccessful. Realizing the danger to his comrades if he remained and despite the hail of enemy fire, he jumped to his feet, shouted a challenge at the enemy, and raced toward the deadly machine gun. He nearly reached the enemy position when the grenade on his belt exploded, mortally wounding Sp4c. Harvey, and stunning the enemy machine-gun crew. His final act caused a pause in the enemy fire, and the wounded men were moved from the danger area. Sp4c. Harvey's dedication to duty, high sense of responsibility, and heroic actions inspired the others in his platoon to decisively beat back the enemy attack. His acts are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

Carmel was four months away from turning 21 when he died and his family received his Medal of Honor from President Nixon on the 16th of October 1969. Carmel Bernon Harvey Jr is buried with his parents in the Cedar Park Cemetery in Calumet Park, Illinois. His name appears on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC: Panel 22E, Line 30.