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| MEDAL OF
HONOR RECIPIENT |
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| NAME: |
Frederick
Edgar Ferguson |
| RANK: |
Chief
Warrant Officer |
| ORGANIZATION: |
U.S.
Army, Company C, 227th Aviation
Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division
(Airmobile) |
| PLACE: |
Hue,
Republic of Vietnam |
| DATE: |
31
January 1968 |
| ENTERED
SERVICE AT: |
Phoenix,
Arizona |
| BORN: |
18
August 1939, Pilot Point, Texas |
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| CITATION |
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| 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,
unhesitantly 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 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. |
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