Paul Harvey was born on August 3, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at Miami University, Ohio, on June 8, 1959, and went on active duty beginning December 11, 1959. Lt Harvey then completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Laredo AFB, Texas, in January 1961, followed by service as a C-124 Globemaster II pilot with the 75th Air Transport Squadron and then a C-133 Cargomaster and C-141 Starlifter pilot with the 84th Air Transport Squadron at Travis AFB, California, from March 1961 to May 1964. He next served as Scheduling Officer for the 60th Military Airlift Wing at Travis AFB from May 1964 to July 1966, and then served as Aide-de-Camp to the Commander in Chief of Alaskan Command at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, until June 1969. Maj Harvey was Operations Officer for the 377th Combat Support Group at Tan Son Nhut AB in the Republic of Vietnam from July 1969 to August 1970, during which time he flew 160 combat missions in Southeast Asia, followed by Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from August 1970 to June 1971. Col Harvey then served as executive officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence with Headquarters Air Defense Command at Ent AFB, Colorado, from June 1971 to October 1973, followed by service with Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon from November 1973 to August 1978. He attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces from August 1978 to July 1979, and then served as deputy commander and then commander of the 436th Air Base Group at Dover AFB, Delaware, from July 1979 to August 1981. Gen Harvey next served as Vice Commander and then Commander of the 436th Military Airlift Wing, also at Dover AFB, from August 1981 to February 1983, followed by service as Inspector General of Military Airlift Command at Scott AFB, Illinois, from February 1983 to August 1984. His next assignment was as Commander of the 76th Airlift Division at Andrews AFB, Maryland, from August 1984 to July 1985, and then as Chief of Staff of Military Airlift Command until November 1986. He served as Commander of the 322nd Airlift Division and Deputy Chief of Staff for Airlift Forces with Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein AB, West Germany, from November 1986 to June 1988, and then served as Commander of Keesler Technical Training Center at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, from June 1988 until his retirement from the Air Force on September 1, 1991. Gen Harvey wears Command Pilot Wings and accumulated over 5,000 flying hours during his Air Force Career.

His 2nd Distinguished Service Medal Citation reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, awards the Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Paul A. Harvey for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility. General Harvey distinguished himself as Commander, Keesler Technical Training Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, from 21 June 1988 to 31 August 1991. During this period, General Harvey's leadership and resourcefulness resulted in a high level of war readiness by providing exceptionally well-trained military personnel to fulfill national objectives. His superior management skills and articulate spokesmanship were instrumental in keeping Keesler Technical Training Center as an efficient, effective installation producing top quality graduates ready to assume their duties in operational units throughout the Air Force. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Harvey culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.