Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Major

Unit:

Support Company, The Highland Light Infantry of Canada, 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
A/Major John Alexander Ferguson of the Highland Light Infantry of Canada has consistently displayed great daring, courage, outstanding initiative and devotion far beyond the normal call of duty and at great personal danger.
During the attack on Speldrop, Germany, 24 March 1945, as Support Company Commander of the Highland Light Infantry of Canada, Major John Alexander Ferguson, riding in his Jeep, personally led supporting arms over roads "unchecked for mines" and subjected to sweeping enemy machine gun and deadly mortar fire to effect immediate tank-proof consolidation of forward companies against an expected counter attack by enemy self-propelled guns and infantry known to be in the vicinity.
At Bienen, Germany, during the night of 25/26 March 1945 when anti-tank guns moving up on consolidation were obstructed by a road block, Major Ferguson personally supervised the laborious manhandling of these weapons around the road block, while under heavy mortar fire, and though wounded remained on duty throughout, successfully circumnavigating the road block and delivering the guns to companies.
This same night Major Ferguson, with utter disregard for his own personal safety, moved on foot ahead of supporting self-propelled anti-tank guns and guided them to company areas through the constant crump of enemy shells and the debris of the town as yet only partially cleared of enemy. This action enabled the guns to be in position by first light when they knocked out an enemy self-propelled gun which was denying the use of the main road and preventing the further advance along this axis of the lead battalion of another brigade waiting to pass through.
This officer superb courage and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to all and the fact that Highland Light Infantry of Canada had never been successfully counter-attacked is due largely to Major Ferguson's unceasing efforts to ensure that supporting arms are moved forward on the heels of the attacking infantry.