Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Frederick Ferguson, U.S. Army unhesitatingly volunteered to attempt evacuation of wounded soldiers during the Vietnam War. Despite warnings from all aircraft to stay clear of the city of Hue, he began a low-level flight, at maximum airspeed, along the Perfume River. He headed toward the tiny, isolated South Vietnamese Army compound where crash survivors had taken refuge.
In the face of intense, short-range fire from enemy occupied buildings and boats; he displayed superior flying skill and tenacity by landing his aircraft in an extremely confined area. While on the ground, loading the wounded, he was faced with a blinding dust cloud of heavy mortar and small arms fire.
Although the helicopter was severely damaged during the mission, CWO Ferguson disregarded the destruction and, taking off through the continuing hail of mortar fire, he flew his crippled aircraft on the return route. He safely returned his wounded passengers to friendly control. CWO Ferguson’s extraordinary determination saved the lives of five of his comrades.
These acts of bravery earned him the prestigious Congressional Medal of Honor. President Richard Nixon on the South Lawn of the White House personally presented this medal to Ferguson.
Because of his heroics and concern for his fellow man, we are honored to have Fred Ferguson as one of our Grand Marshals.
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In the face of intense, short-range fire from enemy occupied buildings and boats; he displayed superior flying skill and tenacity by landing his aircraft in an extremely confined area. While on the ground, loading the wounded, he was faced with a blinding dust cloud of heavy mortar and small arms fire. 