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Rank and organization: Chief Warrant Officer, U.S.
Army, Company C, 227th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division
(Airmobile). Place and date: Hue, Republic of Vietnam, 31 January
1968. Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz. Born: 18 August 1939, Pilot
Point, Tex.
Citation... For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the
call of duty. CWO Ferguson, U.S. Army distinguished himself while
serving with Company C.
CWO Ferguson, commander of a resupply
helicopter monitoring an emergency call from wounded passengers and
crewmen of a downed helicopter under heavy attack within the enemy
controlled city of Hue, unhesitatingly volunteered to attempt
evacuation. |
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Despite warnings from all aircraft to stay
clear of the area due to heavy antiaircraft fire, CWO Ferguson
began a low-level night at maximum airspeed along the Perfume
River toward the tiny, isolated South Vietnamese Army compound
in which the crash survivors had taken refuge. Coolly and
skillfully maintaining his course in the face of intense, short
range fire from enemy occupied buildings and boats, he displayed
superior flying skill and tenacity of purpose by landing his
aircraft in an extremely confined area in a blinding dust cloud
under heavy mortar and small-arms fire. Although the helicopter
was severely damaged by mortar fragments during the loading of
the wounded, CWO Ferguson disregarded the damage and, taking off
through the continuing hail of mortar fire, he flew his crippled
aircraft on the return route through the rain of fire that he
had experienced earlier and safely returned his wounded
passengers to friendly control. CWO Ferguson's extraordinary
determination saved the lives of 5 of his comrades. His actions
are in the highest traditions of the military service and
reflect great credit on himself and the U.S. Army. |
