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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: CWO Frederick Ferguson ~ 06 February 2023
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| The Canteen Crew
Posted on 02/05/2023 5:05:45 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska
Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do! | | For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. | | Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today! | | |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~ CWO Frederick Ferguson Info from here and here and here. | | | Frederick Edgar Ferguson (born August 18, 1939) is a former United States Army warrant officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War. He was the first Army aviator to receive the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. Frederick E. Ferguson was born on August 18, 1939, in Pilot Point, Texas. He attended Phoenix Union High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Ferguson joined the Navy after he graduated from high school in 1958, and served for four years as an aviation storekeeper.
He applied to the Army's Warrant Officer Program, and was appointed to the rank of Warrant Officer in 1966. Ferguson completed Army Aviation School in 1967 and was immediately deployed to Vietnam as an aircraft commander and Section Leader of Company C, 227th Aviation Battalion, First Cavalry Division, Airmobile.
On January 31, 1968, Ferguson commanded a Bell UH-1 supply helicopter near the city of Hue, during the Tet Offensive. He heard a distress call from the wounded crew of a helicopter which had been shot down over the enemy-controlled section of the city. Ferguson ignored warnings to stay away from the area because of heavy anti-aircraft fire, and flew along the Perfume River toward the survivors at a low altitude and maximum speed.
He stayed on course despite heavy fire from enemy occupied buildings and boats and landed in a confined area near the survivors despite limited visibility. The helicopter was severely damaged by exploding mortar fragments while the wounded soldiers were loaded, but Ferguson ignored the damage and pushed the helicopter back through the heavy enemy fire along the river to safety. His actions successfully saved the lives of the five survivors and rescued them from a hostile area. Ferguson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, which was presented to him on May 17, 1969, by President Richard Nixon at the White House.
In July 1969, after completing the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Ferguson was promoted to Captain. He remained on active duty and served as Commanding Officer of an armor company from 1970 to 1971. In 1972, Ferguson entered the Arizona Army National Guard. He was promoted to Major in 1975 and assigned to command the 997th Aviation Company of assault helicopters. He became Executive Officer of the 997th Aviation Battalion in 1978 and served in that capacity until 1982. Ferguson then served as a Technician Instructor Pilot with the Guard until 1997.
In his civilian life, Ferguson has held various positions and involves himself in numerous organizations. From July 1972 to July 1979, he was sales manager and then vice president of Arizona Janitor Supply. Ferguson then worked as a benefits counselor at the Phoenix office of the Veterans Administration from 1979 to 1984.
In 1998 he piloted air ambulances for Omni Flight Helicopters, supplementing the services of the Native American Air Ambulance of Arizona. Beginning in 1999, Ferguson has worked at the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, and became Deputy Director of the department in 2000. He is a member of several organizations for veterans and for pilots, including his role as a councilor for the Scottish-American Military Society. Frederick Ferguson is married with two children. | Chief Warrant Officer Ferguson's official Medal of Honor citation 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. 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 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.
| Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission! |
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: radu
I’M GLAD YOU LIKED IT. I CAME ACROSS IT WHEN I WAS A KID AND LOVED IT ON THE FIRST READING. EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. MOVIES HAVE BEEN BASED ON IT, BUT I’VE YET TO ENCOUNTER ANYTHING EQUAL TO THE READ OF IT...THE RHYTHM OF THE HOOF BEATS, THE COLD NIGHT AIR, THE WIND, THE CLOUDS, THE BRIGHT MOON, THE ROMANCE OF IT ALL.
GREAT POEM. GREAT STORY. I OFTEN THINK OF IT WHEN I SEE A FULL MOON OF WINTER.
I’M GLAD TO HAVE GIVEN THAT TO YOU.
WITH THAT, I’M OFF TO THE CRYPT.
41
posted on
02/05/2023 9:45:28 PM PST
by
TigerHawk
(The Raised Middle Finger in the Clenched Fist of the World!)
To: luvie
Mine, thankfully has calmed down. At least till I put my head on the pillow. LOL! You have that problem, too, huh? Kinda stinks being allergy sufferers doesn't it?
42
posted on
02/05/2023 9:48:51 PM PST
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: radu
It’s horrible. Some years are worse than others, but our drought conditions seem to make it worse. So much sand/dirt. Blech!
43
posted on
02/05/2023 9:58:51 PM PST
by
luvie
(🇺🇸The bravery/dedication of our troops keeping us safe & free make me proud to be an American.🇺🇸)
To: TigerHawk
It’s a powerful poem and I imagine I’ll think of it on full moon nights as well, especially during the colder months.
I didn’t like the ending though. A pox on Tim the ostler!
44
posted on
02/05/2023 10:00:50 PM PST
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: luvie
Yes, all the dirt in the air last fall while harvest was going on really wore me out. Pollen was already wearing everyone around here out.
My sinuses have finally calmed down quite a bit and I hope for better sleep tonight. I know you do too.
45
posted on
02/05/2023 10:10:05 PM PST
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: Kathy in Alaska; luvie; radu; beachn4fun; All
A very pleasant good Monday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.
How's everyone doing this morning?
46
posted on
02/05/2023 10:15:31 PM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: radu
Hooray for calm sinuses. Now if they’ll just stay that way after we’re prone. That seems to be the trigger for mine to start having a tantrum. LOL!
I’m going to finish this show and head out. I’m sleepier than I should be. See ya tomorrow!
47
posted on
02/05/2023 10:55:34 PM PST
by
luvie
(🇺🇸The bravery/dedication of our troops keeping us safe & free make me proud to be an American.🇺🇸)
To: E.G.C.
Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))
Did you and Gizmo have another gorgeous day fir your outing at the lake? KFC or Sonic for supper?
48
posted on
02/05/2023 10:55:48 PM PST
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: luvie
Yep, lying down always seems to set things running, though once in a while I get lucky. With luck we’ll both be lucky tonight.
Sleep well. Catch ya tomorrow.
49
posted on
02/05/2023 10:58:04 PM PST
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: luvie
50
posted on
02/05/2023 10:58:25 PM PST
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: radu; luvie; Kathy in Alaska; beachn4fun; All
This is what we had for supper yesterday.
We had quite a few people out at Comanche Lake yesterday. Here are all the pics.
Gizmo rolled over in a number of places yesterday. As you can see I was able to capture one of those instances.🤣
We have another trip planned for later today.
51
posted on
02/05/2023 11:02:46 PM PST
by
E.G.C.
To: E.G.C.
No surprise you two had company out there, as pretty a day as it was. It didn’t hamper Gizmo’s fun at all. LOL
Maybe it won’t be as crowded later today since people will be back at work.
52
posted on
02/05/2023 11:40:12 PM PST
by
radu
(God bless our military men and women, past and present)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Thank you. No way can I shovel with this knee the way it is right now.
53
posted on
02/06/2023 4:32:50 AM PST
by
left that other site
(Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.)
To: Kathy in Alaska; y'all; radu; laurenmarlowe; E.G.C.; beachn4fun; GodBlessUSA; ...
Hey there, Early Birds!
I'm so glad that Monday is fine for me.
Being retired has its perks. 🤣
I remember Mad Mondays
...and it's WHY I'm now NOT working.
Hope all y'all have a Mahv'lus Monday
....and a Wonderful Week!
It's nice and warm here.
(((hugs)))
54
posted on
02/06/2023 11:03:45 AM PST
by
luvie
(🇺🇸The bravery/dedication of our troops keeping us safe & free make me proud to be an American.🇺🇸)
To: luvie
“...and it’s WHY I’m now NOT working.”
Nobody likes braggarts who continue to rub it in!
** snicker **
To: spel_grammer_an_punct_polise
I just can’t help myself. I love this life. :D
56
posted on
02/06/2023 4:32:00 PM PST
by
luvie
(🇺🇸The bravery/dedication of our troops keeping us safe & free make me proud to be an American.🇺🇸)
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