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Vietnam MRF Gallantry Award Questions ?


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VIETNAM WIA NAVY 'TANGO' BOAT AWARD


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    Hello Folks,     I thought that I might have a better chance of a few Replies by Posting this here alone, as opposed to just tacking it on to a running Post ? I guess what I'm really looking for here via to solicit a few opinions as to whether BM3 ( Later CPO ) Ferguson's actions on 04 April 1968 perhaps warranted something a bit higher up the pyramid than what he actually received ? Also, if anyone happens to know, or have an idea as to where I might gain access to an mid 1968 era Roster of River Assault Division 9's personnel, as I might be able to determine some additional information regarding the sender of the mentioned 'Our Hero' Letter ? 

   

     As I was looking over the noted USN, RVN / MRF Group, I remembered that I too had a similar Group, yet apparently not up to BSM level, at least according to the USN's Brass ? Based upon the pretty descriptive 'Letter' I was fortunate enough to come across, I at least would have considered the individual involved to be worthy of at least the USN Commendation Medal w/ 'V' ? Throughout my many searches on him, I couldn't find any other Award[s] which may have stemmed from his actions on 04 April 1968 while Coxswain of 'Tango' Boat T92-5 ? So presumably, I consider the subsequent awarding of the Navy Achievement Medal w/ 'V' was 'probably' related to that particular action ? ( He was also WIA during that action, receiving an SFW to arm, IIRC. ) If anyone happens to be especially knowledgeable regarding that particular event, & or RAD 92 / RAS 9 in general, particularly the early to mid 1968 timeframe, I would truly appreciate hearing from them. I'm also extremely interested in learning 'anything' about the author of the Letter I referred to, as other than his name, & the fact that he served alongside 'my' Lawrence C. Ferguson in RVN, presumably in the same exact unit, although not in the same Boat Crew. For if I could possibly locate him, I might be able to determine additional details pertaining to that 04 April 1968 VC Ambush, which occurred at 0843 hours, along the Song Ba Lai River, Truc Giang District, Kien Hoa Province, RVN. I have included a brief excerpt from my Research Notes, along with his Award Record as found online. If anyone can add 'anything' to what I've learned already, I would deeply appreciate it !! THANK YOU VERY MUCH Guys,

            

                              Best,     Dom P. 
 

REF. TO:  BM-2 LAWRENCE CLYDE FERGUSON, USN SERVICE # 587-22-14

 

SOURCE: the U.S. NAVY & MARINES ~ AWARDS & DECORATIONS,
1942 - 1994

DETAIL: 
Name: Lawrence Clyde Ferguson
Award Date:  05 September 1968
Type of Medal: U.S. Navy Achievement Medal / with 'Combat V'
Military Unit:  6410
Military Service Branch: U.S. Navy
Action: Meritorious
Office: Enlisted
Awarded By:  Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet
 

RE: ©>>> LAWRENCE 'LARRY' C. FERGUSON ~ USN / RVN SERVICE - NOTES & DATA:

USN SERVICE # 587-22-14
RVN RANKS: BM-3 / BM-2

1st RVN SERVICE TOUR
FROM.:  25 SEPTEMBER 1967
TO:  26 SEPTEMBER 1968

IN:  CTZ 4, w/ RAS 9 / RAD 92

Served as COXSWAIN on  ATC T 92-5

WIA at approximately 0845 [ +/- ] on 04 APRIL 1968, • along the Song Ba Lai River, Truc Giang District, Kien Hoa Province, RVN

LCF's ~ 1st RVN TOUR / OOB & RELATED DUTIES: 

COMMANDER TASK FORCE – 117
U.S. MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE

CTF-117 RIVER ASSAULT FLOTILLA 1
RIVER ASSAULT SQUADRON – 9
RIVER ASSAULT DIVISION – 91
*RIVER ASSAULT DIVISION – 92

NOTE:  *L.C. F. Assigned To River Assault Squadron 9 - Of - River Assault Division 92, Served as Coxswain aboard 'TANGO' T92-5
 

LCF's ~ 2nd RVN TOUR:

UNIT:  U.S. NAVAL ADVISORY GROUP / OVERSEAS TOUR
~ VIETNAM

FROM:  25 FEBRUARY 1972
TO:  22 MARCH 1974

 

 

       @>>> END Of SCANS

 

 

Larry's Memorial Obit.jpg

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Here's a few additional Photos that I didn't have ready when I initially Posted this a little while ago. I do have a question that concerns me regarding his Navy Achievement Medal w/ Combat V. According to both his Navy DD-214, & the available online Records, the above noted Medal was awarded with the Combat V Device. However, his original, period issued Award Certificate doesn't refer to any such Device, & mentions it was an 'meritorious' award ? Any information here will be very much appreciated !! THANKS Folks,

 

                 Best,       Dom P. 

 

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This a regular question when dealing with Vietnam awards by the Navy. The Navy's "V" device is a "combat distinguishing device", not a "for valor" device. If you earned the award in a combat zone, you qualified for the device. However, the distinction was commonly not included in the paperwork. You might remember the death of ADM Mike Boorda, which hinged on his wearing the device when the paperwork did not include it.

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THANK YOU Jeff, I always appreciate your input ! I kind of figured such, as even though the original Award Document didn't refer to any Device, both his DD-214, along with the online Reference mention the 'V'. My belief is that his Navy Achievement Medal was based upon his actions during that ambush of 04 April 1968, although I'll probably never know for certain. But based upon the original award date of 05 September 1968, it would perhaps support that assumption ? 

 

                Best,     Dom P.

 

 

 

 

 

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