State Representative Sue Allor recently introduced a bill which renames a portion of US-23 after Medal of Honor recipient, Peter C. Lemon.

If passed, the portion of highway beginning at the M-55 intersection in Tawas City and extending south to the Tawas River Bridge would be renamed the “Peter C. Lemon Highway.”  Lemon, a combat veteran, has been honored for his heroism and for his refusal to evacuate until the enemy had retreated and his colleagues were airlifted to safety during his service in the Vietnam War.

“Sergeant Lemon is a dedicated hero with many distinguished awards for his bravery and passion in helping others,” said Allor, of Wolverine. “This plan is a way for Iosco County, and Michigan, to honor his service and commitment to our country.”

Peter Charles Lemon was born in Toronto, Canada on June 5, 1950. He and his family moved to Tawas City, when he was 2. At the age of 11, he took the oath of allegiance to the United States with his sister, Judy and mother, Geraldine Lemon and father, Charles Lemon at the Iosco County courthouse in Tawas City. After graduating from Tawas Area High School in 1968, Lemon enlisted in the United States Army. He excelled during Army Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and graduated from Ranger RECON School in Vietnam. He served from July 26, 1969 to July 23, 1970 in Company E (Recon), 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division and was promoted to sergeant during his service.

Lemon received our nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor, on April 1, 1970, while he was stationed in Tay Ninh Province. After his service he excelled academically and was recognized as the Humanitarian Alumni of the Year Award in 1998 at the University of Northern Colorado and became an inductee in the elite special operations 75th “Ranger Hall of Fame” in 1994.

Lemon was named the keynote speaker of the Tawas City War Memorial and praised the service of the men and women who have contributed to serve in the military.

This would not be the first time Mr. Lemon has been honored for his service. On May 25, 2015, the United States Postal Service issued a Vietnam War Medal of Honor Stamp where Lemon was featured along with 47 other living Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients. He was also honored on Veterans Day in 2016 at Tawas Area High School.

House Bill 4349 has been referred to the Transportation Committee.

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