Frederick E Ferguson
Frederick was born on the 18th of August 1939, in Pilot Point, Texas, and after graduating high school, enlisted in the Navy in 1958, not wanting to go to college. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life and had been taking private flying lessons. He got his private pilot’s license and took jobs flying sky divers and some charter work while at Deer Valley Airport, where he one day got a ride in a helicopter. This fascinated him and he then joined the US Army’s Warrant Officer program. Frederick deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in 1967 and it was his actions with Company C, 227th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), that would later earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 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. Despite warnings from all aircraft to stay clear of the area due to heavy antiaircraft fire, CWO Ferguson began a low-level flight 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 five 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.
Frederick received the Medal of Honor the following year, on the 17th of May 1969, from President Nixon in a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House. He remained in the Army, eventually serving in the Arizona Army National Guard, reaching the rank of Major, and then switching back to being a warrant officer in order to continue instructing with the UH-1 helicopter. Frederick retired in 1982 after 24 years of service and went to work with the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, where he served as the deputy director. Frederick Edgar Ferguson is 83 years old as of this recording.
