1 April

SP/4 Peter C. Lemmon
E 2nd Bn, 8th Cavalry
1st Cavalry Div.
Tây Ninh Province, RVN
April 1, 1970

While serving as Asst. Gunner on a crew-served weapon, SGT (then SP/4)  Lemon’s position came under attack from a much larger enemy force. When his weapon malfunctioned, he engaged the attacking enemy troops first with hand grenades then knuckle to knuckle.

When the final enemy soldier chose to run,  SP/4 Lemmon chased him down on foot, and not having the benefit of a weapon – dispatched him by hand.

Although wounded, SP/4 Lemmon carried a more severely wounded soldier to the aid station then returned to his firing piston.  Lemmon was wounded a second tie on the return trip. Disregarding a barrage of enemy fire, SP/4 Lemmon advanced to a position where he could put rounds on advancing enemy.

The new vantage point gave him a good view of his own lines and he realized that the sector was about to be overrun.  In an act of unusual bravery, SP/4 Lemmon jumped up from his position of cover engaging the enemy with the remainder of his grenades – then in hand to hand combat.

In spite of his third wound, Lemmon prevailed in driving the enemy from his position. SP/4 Lemmon then recovered an abandoned M-60 Machined gun from the battlefield and took a position atop a mound.  Completely exposed, he engaged the enemy with machinegun fire until he collapsed from blood loss and had to be evacuated.

SGT  Lemon survived the war and went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado and currently works as a motivational speaker. He is also the author of the book Beyond the Medal, and was the executive producer on the PBS special Beyond the Medal of Honor.

The last line of SGT. Lemmon’s Medal of Honor certificate reads as follows:

“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.”

An interesting caveat is that Sgt Lemmon is one of several MOH recipients who openly admits he was High on Marijuana during the battle that earned him the MOH.