Charles F. Ferguson

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Charles F. Ferguson, Jr., Technical Sergeant, Air Corps, 352nd Bombardment Squadron, 301st Bombardment Group, United States Army. For gallantry in action. On 4 April 1944, Sergeant Ferguson was upper turret gunner on a B-17 type aircraft on a mission to bomb an important enemy rail center in Romania. Approaching the target, his aircraft was intercepted by twenty-five (25) enemy fighters and a desperate air battle ensued. During engagement, a 20-millimeter shell burst wounded the pilot and penetrated Sergeant Ferguson’s right leg in three (3) places. Despite pleas of his crew mates for him to leave his turret and receive first aid, Sergeant Ferguson heroically remained at his guns for over an hour after being wounded, and in firing practically all of his ammunition, he destroyed one (1) enemy aircraft, aided the other gunners on his crew in destroying two (2) more, and played a major role in repelling all enemy fighters. By his conspicuous gallantry and his intense devotion to duty together with his outstanding record of three (3) confirmed victories and forty-five (45) bomber sorties against the enemy, Sergeant Ferguson has upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service and has reflected great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.