Peter C. Lemon

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Peter C. Lemon is one of the youngest surviving recipients of the Medal of Honor. He was born in Toronto, Canada, on 5 June 1950. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on 1 April 1970 while serving in Tay Ninh province during the Vietnam War. He was the only Canadian citizen to be presented the medal in that conflict.

The citation for his medal reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Lemon (then Sp4c.), 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.

Peter Lemon 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.

His other decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart.