Peter C. Lemon

Peter Charles Lemon
File:Peter C Lemon.jpg
Born	(1950-06-05) June 5, 1950 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1968-1972
Rank	25px Sergeant
Unit	Company E, 2d Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal (2) Air Medal (2) Army Commendation Medal Purple Heart

Peter Charles Lemon (born June 5, 1950) is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award, the Medal of Honor. He received the award for his actions on April 1, 1970, while serving in Tây Ninh Province during the Vietnam War. He dedicates the Medal of Honor to the three comrades he lost in the battle which he received the award for: Casey Waller, Nathan Mann and Brent Street. Lemon is the only Canadian-born U.S. citizen to be presented the medal for fighting in the Vietnam War. He is the eighth-youngest living Medal of Honor recipient.

Early life and education

Lemon was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. After his U.S. Army service, he entered Colorado State University, graduating in 1979 with a degree in Speech. He received his Masters of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado two years later, and in 1998 he was proclaimed UNC's 'Humanitarian Alumni of the Year.'

Career

Lemon works as a motivational speaker and is the author of the book Beyond the Medal, as well as being executive producer on the PBS special Beyond the Medal of Honor. His book and documentary have been donated to every high school in the United States to inspire American children "to be worthy citizens." Lemon has also run several corporations, including American Hospitality Association, Inc.; Darnell-Lemon, Inc.; and Probus, Inc.; as well as working as a semi-professional sculptor. On May 1, 2009, Mr. Lemon was presented the coveted Outstanding 'American by Choice' award by President Barack Obama at The White House, recognizing his life of professional achievement and civic contribution. It is the first time in history the award was presented by the President of the United States. Lemon is an inductee in the elite Ranger Hall of Fame.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company E, 2d Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Tay Ninh province, Republic of Vietnam, April 1, 1970. Entered service at: Tawas City, Mich. Born: June 5, 1950, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Lemon (then Sp4), Company E, distinguished himself while serving as an assistant machine gunner during the defense of Fire Support Base Illingworth. When the base came under heavy enemy attack, Sgt. Lemon engaged a numerically superior enemy with machine gun and rifle fire from his defensive position until both weapons malfunctioned. He then used hand grenades to fend off the intensified enemy attack launched in his direction. After eliminating all but 1 of the enemy soldiers in the immediate vicinity, he pursued and disposed of the remaining soldier in hand-to-hand combat. Despite fragment wounds from an exploding grenade, Sgt. Lemon regained his position, carried a more seriously wounded comrade to an aid station, and, as he returned, was wounded a second time by enemy fire. Disregarding his personal injuries, he moved to his position through a hail of small arms and grenade fire. Sgt. Lemon immediately realized that the defensive sector was in danger of being overrun by the enemy and unhesitatingly assaulted the enemy soldiers by throwing hand grenades and engaging in hand-to-hand combat. He was wounded yet a third time, but his determined efforts successfully drove the enemy from the position. Securing an operable machine gun, Sgt. Lemon stood atop an embankment fully exposed to enemy fire, and placed effective fire upon the enemy until he collapsed from his multiple wounds and exhaustion. After regaining consciousness at the aid station, he refused medical evacuation until his more seriously wounded comrades had been evacuated. Sgt. Lemon's gallantry and extraordinary heroism, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

Awards and decorations

• Medal of Honor
• Bronze Star Medal with bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
• Air Medal with bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
• Army Commendation Medal
• Good Conduct Medal
• Purple Heart
• National Defense Service Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Vietnam Campaign Medal
• Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
• Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Ranger Tab

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
• List of living Medal of Honor recipients

References

• Kieth William Nolan. Into Cambodia. Presidio Press, 1999. Although not referenced in the main article, Nolan's book contains a good account of the action at FSB Illingham where Mr. Lemon earned his Medal of Honor.