Peter C. Lemon

Template:Short description Template:Infobox military person Peter Charles Lemon (born June 5, 1950) is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest award for valor, 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 dedicated his award to the three comrades he lost in the battle for which he received the award: Casey Waller, Nathan Mann, Brent Street. Lemon is the only Canadian-born United States citizen to be presented the medal for fighting in the Vietnam War. He is the eighth-youngest living Medal of Honor recipient.<ref name="csu20091022">Template:Cite news</ref>

Early life and education

Lemon was born in Toronto, Canada, on June 5, 1950. He is a 1968 graduate from the Tawas Area High School, Tawas City, Michigan. Viewing the Vietnam War as necessary to stop the spread of communism, he volunteered to enter the United States Army at the East Tawas Post Office, East Tawas, Michigan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After his Army service, he attended Colorado State University, graduating in 1979 with a degree in speech. He received an M.S. in business administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1981,<ref name="csu20091022"/> and in 1998 he was proclaimed the institution's "Humanitarian Alum of the Year."

Career

Template:BLP sources section Lemon was a motivational speaker, the author of the book Beyond the Medal, and executive producer of 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."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:R

Lemon has also run several corporations, including American Hospitality Association, Inc.; Darnell-Lemon, Inc.; and Probus, Inc.

On May 1, 2009, Lemon was presented with the "Outstanding American by Choice" award by President Barack Obama at the White House, recognizing his life of professional achievement and civic contribution.<ref name="Outstanding American">Template:Cite web</ref> This is the first time the award was presented by the President of the United States.

Lemon is an inductee in the elite Ranger Hall of Fame.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A marble tribute honoring Lemon is present in Veteran's Park in Tawas City, Michigan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The state of Michigan, directed by the governor, dedicated highway US 23 in Tawas City to Mr. Lemon reading “Peter C. Lemon Highway - Congressional Medal of Honor, Outstanding American by Choice.”<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In October 2024, Lemon joined 15 other Medal of Honor recipients in publicly endorsing Donald Trump for president.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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:

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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
• Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
• Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
• Combat Infantryman Badge
• Ranger Tab

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

External links

• Template:Cite web
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