Munsell received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for actions taken over the course of 13 engagements from July 1–3, 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg.

He had been managing a lumberyard for his uncle in Oil City, Pennsylvania at the time the Civil War began, and enlisted in the Union Army due to his opposition to slavery.

[1] Due to his short stature, and reported to be only 100 pounds, Munsell was turned away at all enlistment sites along the way from Oil City until he reached Philadelphia, where there was such a high demand for volunteers that his small size was overlooked.

[2] Munsell first saw action during the Peninsula campaign, where he charged a Georgian line with his flag encouraging his men to follow and drive back the Confederate advance.

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Harvey May Munsell, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on July 1 - 3, 1863, while serving with Company A, 99th Pennsylvania Infantry, in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for gallant and courageous conduct as Color Bearer.