On January 31, 1968, at the height of the Tet Offensive, CWO Frederick Ferguson demonstrated fearless resolve and extraordinary flying skill during one of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous helicopter rescues.

While piloting a resupply mission near the embattled city of Hue, CWO Ferguson overheard a distress call: the wounded crew and passengers of a downed helicopter were stranded inside a South Vietnamese compound, surrounded and under heavy enemy fire. Despite repeated warnings to stay clear due to intense anti-aircraft fire, he volunteered for the rescue.

Flying at maximum speed and low altitude, Ferguson navigated a gauntlet of small-arms and automatic weapons fire from enemy-occupied buildings and boats along the river. Reaching the tiny compound, he landed in a severely confined area, engulfed in dust and under relentless fire.

As the wounded were loaded, a mortar blast tore into his helicopter. Refusing to abandon the mission, Ferguson took off in the damaged aircraft, retracing his dangerous route and successfully delivering the survivors to safety.

For his extraordinary courage and refusal to leave fellow Americans behind, Chief Warrant Officer Frederick Ferguson was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 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.

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Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

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