Sergeant Major Edward R. Lemus was born in Santa Elena, El Salvador he and his family immigrated to Los Angeles, California in July of 1988 at the height of the Salvadoran Civil War. On 26 June 2000 he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego for recruit training. Upon graduation of recruit training, Private First Class Lemus attended Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton, CA followed by the Basic Personnel Clerk Course in Camp Johnson, NC and was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty of 0121. After graduation, he was transferred to Combat Service Support Group 1, 1st Field Service Support Group, Twentynine Palms, CA to served as a personnel clerk.
In August of 2001, he received the opportunity to train with the Camp Pendleton Wrestling Team and subsequently with the All Marine Corps Wrestling Team. Following the wrestling season, Lance Corporal Lemus returned to his duties as a personnel clerk. In November of 2003, Corporal Lemus executed orders to Headquarters Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton to serve as a Manpower Information Support Analyst.
In February of 2006, Sergeant Lemus deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the I Marine Expeditionary Force FWD for a nine-month rotation. In September of 2007, Sgt Lemus served as a Marine Corps Recruiter at Permanent Contact Station Lompoc, Recruiting Sub-Station Santa Barbara, Recruiting Station Los Angeles. Within a year of his assignment to Lompoc, Sergeant Lemus was selected as the Rookie Recruiter of the Year and later assigned as the Station Commander for Recruiting Sub-Station Santa Barbara.
In July of 2010, Staff Sergeant Lemus reported to HMLA-369, MAG-39 to serve as the Administrative Chief for the squadron. While assigned to HMLA-369, he was selected to help establish MARCENT-FWD in Bahrain in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon his return, he transferred to MALS-39, MAG-39 where he served as the Administrative Chief and Legal Officer. While assigned to MALS-39 he was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. In December of 2012, he transferred to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines and served as the Administrative Chief. During his tenure with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines he deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
In March of 2015, First Sergeant Lemus transferred to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, where he served as the First Sergeant for Company A - the battalion's Mech company - and participated in the Unit Deployment Program to Okinawa, Japan.
In August of 2016, First Sergeant Lemus transferred to MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, CA to serve as the Company First Sergeant for Company D, 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion.
In October of 2018, First Sergeant Lemus transferred to Headquarters Company, 7th Marine Regiment, Twentynine Palms, CA to serve as the Company First Sergeant.
In May of 2020, Sergeant Major Lemus transferred to Combat Logistics Battalion 7, Combat Logistics Regiment 1 aboard MCAGCC Twentynine Palms, CA to serve as the Battalion Sergeant Major. While assigned as the Battalion Sergeant Major he deployed to Darwin, Australia as part of the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 21.2.
In April of 2022, Sergeant Major transferred to Recruiting Station Denver, Colorado to served as the Recruiting Station Sergeant Major.
His personal decorations are as follows: Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award, Navy Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award.