Shadow box

1st Lt. Robert Fergusson s died of wounds on 8 November 1967 at Camp Drake, Tokyo, Japan. He had been wounded near Chu Lai on 8 October. He served as a forward artiller observer. He received the DSC for bravery during the assault in which he was seriously wounded (Battle of Ong Thanh).

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Robert C. Lawrence Fergusson, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2d Battalion, 320th Artillery, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.

First Lieutenant Fergusson distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 October 1967 while serving as artillery forward observer for an infantry company on a search and destroy mission near Tam Ky. While moving near a dry rice paddy, one platoon of his company was savagely attacked and pinned down by a reinforced North Vietnamese company firing automatic weapons, rockets, and mortars.

The fierce attack inflicted heavy casualties on the friendly force, but Lieutenant Fergusson ignored his own safety and moved to relieve the hostile pressure on the beleaguered unit. The enemy soldiers were overrunning the friendly positions when his platoon arrived, but he braved withering fire and fought furiously to regain the positions. He moved into the open to adjust artillery fire on the advancing enemy and treat the wounds of nearby comrades. He assumed command when the other officers were seriously wounded.

He was wounded himself while moving among his men to rally them and direct their fire against the determined onslaught, but refused medical aid. He detected several enemy soldiers attempting to capture the wounded company commander and raced through the savage hostile fire to drive them off. He was seriously wounded again but succeeded in repelling the determined Viet Cong with a deadly volume of fire. Although unable to fight on himself because of his wounds, his aggressive leadership inspired his men to fight gallantly until a relief force arrived and routed the enemy after inflicting heavy casualties upon them in a fierce battle.

First Lieutenant Fergusson's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 5862 (November 13, 1967)
Action Date: 8-Oct-67
Service: Army
Rank: First Lieutenant
Company: Headquarters and Headquarters Battery
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Regiment: 320th Artillery, 1st Brigade
Division: 101st Airborne Division

Lt Fergusson died of his wounds on 8 November 1967 at Camp Drake, Japan. He been initially wounded on 8 October 1967

Fergusson, Robert C. L., 1LT