Supporters of the Boy Scouts program in Lawton got a special treat one evening earlier this month.

Medal of Honor recipient and member of the U.S. Army's Rangers Hall of Fame, Peter C. Lemon was the speaker for the annual Character Counts Banquet held in the Patriot Club on Fort Sill. Mr. Lemon was welcomed with thunderous applause and received a standing ovation from the nearly 200 people in attendance at the Black Beaver District event.

     His talk was filled with stories about growing up in the outdoors and his own experiences in Scouting, as both a youth and an adult. It concluded with the difference Scouting can make in an individual and a community. It was also a talk filled with pride in being an American. "This is the greatest country in the world," he said, as he ticked off historical events and sacrifices made in the formation of the country.

     A few days before his arrival, the 50-something businessman phoned me from his home in Colorado Springs, Colo.

     "I'm looking forward to coming to Lawton," Mr. Lemon said. "I was at Fort Sill for one day, on my way to Fort Carson, when I was in the Army. That's the heartland. I've spoken in Tulsa a couple of times, and Oklahoma is just good down-home people. I Like that. I grew up in a town of 86, so I
consider myself a country boy and am proud of it."
     The dinner was free for those contributing to the Friends of Scouting program.
     Mr. Lemon was brought in by longtime Lawton Scouter Jerry Orr, who formerly resided in Colorado Springs, Colo. and had heard him speak at a function there.
     In civilian life, Mr. Lemon found success as an entrepreneur owning four different companies, primarily in business insurance and commercial general contracting. He also developed a Professional Liability Program for the 70,000 members of the National Organization of Health Care Professionals.
     He is author of the book Beyond the Medal, "A Journey from Their Hearts to Yours" and executive producer of the recently released award winning PBS Special "Beyond the Medal of Honor." His book was donated to the 32,000 secondary schools in the United States. And now, the PBS Special, with curriculum, was given, through the generosity of Ross Perot Sr., to over 17,000 public and private high schools as inspiration for citizenship.
     Mr. Lemon has also served as the Cub Master of Pack 366 to 125 Scouts. He is an avid sportsman, children's advocate and is the father of three. "Scouting is something you have to have fun and adventure with, but you also learn responsibility. It builds young people for the future."
Pete Lemon's story is that of one who seemed destined for the highest recognition a soldier can receive.

     A Canadian by birth, Lemon lived in Michigan when he enlisted in the Army at age 18. He trained at Fort Knox, Ky., Fort Polk, La. and Recondo School in Vietnam. Lemon served in Vietnam as a Ranger in the 1st Cavalry (Airmobile). Among the many honors he received are two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and eventually the Medal of Honor.
     The citation for his Medal of Honor 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."

 

     To contribute to the Black Beaver Council's Friends of Scouting campaign, call the Lawton Scout office at (580) 357-3633.