Medal of Honor: Frederick Edgar Ferguson – Vietnam War – Battle of Huế – 31 January 1968

Name: Frederick Edgar Ferguson
Rank: Chief Warrant Officer
Organization: United States Army
Unit: Company C, 227th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)
Place: Huế, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Phoenix, Arizona
Born: 18 August 1939, Pilot Point, Texas

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Summary of Action

During the opening hours of the Tet Offensive, the ancient city of Huế erupted into one of the fiercest urban battles of the Vietnam War. Enemy forces dominated the city, pouring intense small-arms, automatic-weapons, and antiaircraft fire into the streets and waterways.

Chief Warrant Officer Frederick E. Ferguson, commanding a resupply helicopter, monitored an emergency call reporting wounded crewmen and passengers from a downed helicopter trapped inside the enemy-controlled city. Despite repeated warnings from other aircraft to stay clear due to overwhelming antiaircraft fire, CWO Ferguson immediately volunteered to attempt the rescue.

Flying at low level and maximum speed along the Perfume River at night, he pressed toward a tiny, isolated South Vietnamese Army compound where the survivors had taken refuge. Enemy fire erupted from buildings and boats along the riverbanks, but CWO Ferguson coolly maintained his course. Demonstrating exceptional flying skill and unyielding determination, he landed his helicopter in an extremely confined area, engulfed in a blinding dust cloud, while under heavy mortar and small-arms fire.

As wounded men were loaded aboard, mortar fragments severely damaged his aircraft. Ignoring the damage, CWO Ferguson lifted off through the continuing hail of fire and retraced his route back along the river, once again flying through intense enemy fire. Despite the crippled condition of his helicopter, he safely delivered the wounded men to friendly control.

Through his fearless determination and superb airmanship, CWO Ferguson saved the lives of five comrades during one of the most dangerous moments of the Battle of Huế.

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Medal of Honor Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Chief Warrant Officer Ferguson, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving with Company C. Chief Warrant Officer 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 Huế, unhesitatingly volunteered to attempt evacuation.

Despite warnings from all aircraft to stay clear of the area due to heavy antiaircraft fire, Chief Warrant Officer Ferguson began a low-level night 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, Chief Warrant Officer Ferguson disregarded the damage and, taking off through the continuing hail of mortar fire, 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. Chief Warrant Officer 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 United States Army.