Who I remember on Remembrance Day; Fred Ferguson

On Memorial Day, we remember those we lost.  On Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day, we remember those who served.  We have had so many wars, and beyond that, so many others have served in times of peace, that the faces and the names tend to get lost in the masses.  So I thought for this Remembrance Day, I would find one name, one face, and pass along his story to you.

Almost the first name that came to mind was Fred Ferguson.  He was of my own time, almost my generation, about the age of someone who could have been my big brother, or a young uncle.  Today he’s 74 years old; he retired as a Major in 1982. Even after retirement, he has continued to "serve" our community in different ways. Years ago, I believe in my activities with the (then-named) Confederate Air Force, I got to meet Fred Ferguson; I consider that an honor to this day.

He was born in Texas, from where so many good things come.  He joined the Army as a young man in 1958, in Phoenix, and ten years later was serving in Southeast Asia.  That was the year of the Tet Offensive. He had become, by that time, a helicopter pilot, flying what we remember today (somewhat affectionately) as the Huey, perhaps the most-recognized icon of the Vietnam War.  In the climactic battle at Hue he distinguished himself with clear-headed action and a determination to get the job done under horrific conditions that many others wouldn’t risk.  That's not just empty prose - others looked at the situation and refused to go.  But Fred Ferguson wouldn't leave American troops and aircrew behind as their position fell to the North Vietnamese. Here is what his Medal of Honor commendation reads:

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. [1st Air Cav]

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.

Ferguson

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”  When you read the reports of what he did (or hear him tell the story), those words take on new layers of meaning. They become real.  On the ground, in the smoke, in the horror of a fierce battle with jagged metal flying everywhere, he kept his head and focused on the plight of others. We cannot imagine what that is like, the reality of it, unless we’ve been there, unless we've been immersed in the white-knuckled, mind-numbing terror. 

Citizen Ferguson served his country – us – for about 24 years.  He served in peace and he served in war. He deserves our thanks and our remembrance today and every day.  Wherever he is, whatever he’s doing, I hope he knows that he and others like him are the reason we remember on Remembrance Day. When I think about the face of a Vietnam-era veteran, a true hero, it is men like Fred Ferguson that I think about.

Dick, this one's for you.