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'Congressional Medal Of Honor'
"The presidency and vice presidency may be the highest offices in the land, but there's an even greater distinction
that our country bestows, the Congressional Medal of Honor."
Vice President Dick Cheney
Mr. Lemon is one of the youngest surviving recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, our
nation's highest award. From the official citation, Mr. Lemon received the Medal of Honor for
action April 1, 1970 while serving with his seventeen member platoon, Company E (RECON) 2/8,
1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. Significantly outnumbered twenty-to-one during a vicious enemy
attack, Mr. Lemon responded by repulsing the charging adversaries using machine gun fire,
grenades and hand-to-hand combat assisting in saving the lives of his team. Although wounded
numerous times, Lemon refused to be evacuated until the enemy had retreated, and his injured
comrades were airlifted to safety. The award was presented by President Nixon.
Mr. Lemon dedicates his award and pays tribute to all those who served in his unit, most importantly
the three comrades he lost in the battle for which he received the award: Casey Waller, Nathan Mann
and Brent Street.
Mr. Lemon is the only living Canadian born American citizen to receive the Congressional Medal of
Honor and the only living Vietnam era recipient originally from the state of Michigan.
The year 2011 marks the 150th Anniversary of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Presented by the President of the United States in
the Name of the Congress, it is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an American. The rarity of the award is profound. The
criteria for this award are stringent with the person having voluntarily performed the deed at the risk of life. The action must also be one
that outstandingly displays conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, above and beyond the call of duty, to save someone else's life.
President Obama presented the 'Outstanding American by Choice Award' to Mr. Lemon at a
May 1, 2009 White House ceremony recognizing his life of professional achievement and
civic contribution.
The White House press release provides a record of the President's words as he presented the
'Outstanding American by Choice Award' to Mr. Lemon. "...It is my privilege to present
the 'Outstanding American by Choice Award' to Peter Lemon...who has devoted his time and
energies to talking about what his own experiences have meant to him and what he has learned,
to encourage each and every one of us that the way to make the most of our talents is to make
a difference in the lives of others."
'Outstanding American By Choice'
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