World War II Honoree

James Henry Ferguson, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Birmingham, Alabama

Honored By

James O. Sweeny

Relationship

Classmate

HE ENLISTED AS A PRIVATE IN THE GEORGIA NATIONAL GUARD ON NOVEMBER 25, 1940. HE ENTERED INTO ACTIVE DUTY IN THE ARMY IN WAYNE CITY, GEORGIA ON JULY 1, 1941. FOLLOWING GRADUATION FROM OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL AS A 2ND LIEUTENANT AND AFTER EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN ANTI-AIRCRAFT WARFARE, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 107TH AAA AW BATTALION. WHEN THE BATTALION WAS ATTACHED TO THE 45TH INFANTRY DIVISION ON AUGUST 15, 1944, HE WAS COMPANY COMMANDER OF HEADQUARTERS BATTERY OF THE 107TH. HE PARTICIPATED IN THE AMPHIBIOUS LANDING IN SOUTHERN FRANCE ON AUGUST 15, AND SERVED IN THE OPERATIONS IN FRANCE UNTIL BECOMING A PATIENT IN THE 45TH GENERAL HOSPITAL ON DECEMBER 30, 1944. HE WAS RELIEVED FROM ACTIVE DUTY AS A CAPTAIN ON SEPTEMBER 11, 1945 AFTER THIRTY-TWO MONTHS OF OVERSEAS DUTY. HE EARNED THE BATTLE PARTICIPATION AWARD AND THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS.