Peter Charles Lemon
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Vietnam War

Sergeant Peter Charles Lemon is a former U.S. Army soldier and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. Lemon is the only Canadian-born U.S. citizen to be presented the Medal of Honor for fighting in the Vietnam War. He is the third-youngest living Medal of Honor recipient.

Peter Charles Lemon was born on 5 June 1950, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He received the award for his actions on 1 April 1970 while serving in Tay Ninh province during the Vietnam War.

Medal of Honor

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, 1 April 1970.

Entered service at: Tawas City, MI. Born: 5 June 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.

After his military service, Lemon attended Colorado State University, graduating in 1979 with a degree in Speech. He received his Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1981.

He currently 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. 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 1 May 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.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Purple Heart
Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross

Combat Infantryman Badge
Recondo School Tab
75th Airborne Ranger Tab