U.S. Soldier who Fought NVA Troops while High on Marijuana (Stories from The Vietnam War) | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Sergeant Peter Lemon bravely defended his base against North Vietnamese soldiers while under the influence of marijuana during the Vietnam War, earning him the Medal of Honor.

Key Insights

• ⚾ Sergeant Peter Lemon's heroism and bravery in defending his base against the North Vietnamese earned him the Medal of Honor.
• 🎖️ Lemon's upbringing and military training contributed to his exceptional courage and dedication as a soldier.
• ↩️ The disillusionment and horrors of war in Vietnam led many soldiers, including Lemon, to turn to marijuana as a means of coping.
• 😒 The use of marijuana helped soldiers numb their emotions and carry the burden of war more easily.
• 🤗 The Illingworth fire support base was used as a decoy to lure out the North Vietnamese Army troops into an open area for easier American aerial attacks.
• 🇺🇸 Despite being a Canadian-born soldier, Peter Lemon fought with unwavering patriotism and dedication for the United States.
• 😩 Lemon's initial reluctance to wear his Medal of Honor stemmed from his frustration with the mistreatment of soldiers in combat.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did Sergeant Peter Lemon's upbringing influence his decision to join the military?

Lemon's family background, filled with extreme patriotism, led him to enlist in the military and fight for his country.

Q: Why did Sergeant Peter Lemon start using marijuana during his service in Vietnam?

The horrors of war and the realization that the conflict was futile caused Lemon and many other soldiers to turn to marijuana as a means of escape and coping with depression.

Q: Why was Sergeant Peter Lemon's base attacked by the North Vietnamese during the night?

The North Vietnamese learned from previous attacks and changed their strategy, attacking the base during the night when calling in air support was impossible.

Q: How did Sergeant Peter Lemon display heroism during the attack on his base?

Lemon fought off the attacking North Vietnamese soldiers with a machine gun, assault rifle, hand grenades, and even his bare hands, despite being injured multiple times.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sergeant Peter Lemon, a Canadian-born soldier, fought with valor and courage in the Vietnam War, defending his base against North Vietnamese soldiers.

• Lemon's upbringing and Military training prepared him for combat, and he quickly proved himself as a skilled and dedicated soldier.

• Despite disillusionment with the war, Lemon's use of marijuana helped him cope with the horrors of combat.