J. Michael Ferguson | Oral History

J. Michael Ferguson

OH 2020

For the Air America Oral History Project. Marine Corps veteran and Air America pilot. Childhood and education in New Jersey and Central College; decision to enlist in the Marine Corps during the Korean War; experiences while stationed at El Toro, California, Japan, Cherry Point, NC, Parris Island, SC, and Beaufort, SC, and aboard an aircraft carrier; decision to join Air America; experiences while stationed in Taiwan, Bangkok, Saigon, and Phnom Penh; opinions on the Vietnam War and Air America’s role in it.

OH 1948

Experiences at University of Alabama and in US Air Force. Flight School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, and Basic Training in Mississippi. Assignments in Keflavik, Iceland, Red Bluff, CA, and NORAD Sector as Captain in electronics and communications. Certified for the F-102 at Perrin Air Force Base, Sherman, TX. Experiences while assigned to combat squadron in Saigon during Vietnam War. Life after Vietnam era and work experiences flying world-wide for businesses and the private sector, particularly as pilot for Frank Sinatra.

OH 1916

For the Air America Oral History Project. Memories of growing up in Pittsburgh and Miami. First thoughts on becoming an aircraft pilot and joining the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. Transitioning form the Navy to the Marine Corp and joining active duty squadrons. Years spent flying for Pan-America before joining Air America. Flight and rescue missions while flying for Air America.

OH 1761

For the Air America Oral History Project. Marine veteran and Air America fixed-wing pilot. Navy flight training; experiences in peace-time Marine Corps; flying for Air America; interaction with the “Customer;” interaction with the Hmong; various missions; transfer to Southern Air Transport; rumors about Air America; thoughts on U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia.

OH 1760

For the Air America Oral History Project. Marine veteran and Air America helicopter pilot. Early love of aviation; the Marine Aviation Cadet program; experiences as a Marine helicopter pilot in Vietnam; living with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder; interaction with the local populations in Southeast Asia; interaction with the “Customer;” search and rescue missions; rumors about Air America; thoughts on the Air America movie; living in Thailand; leaving Air America; thoughts on U.S. involvement in Laos; thoughts on own involvement in Laos.

OH 1909

For the Air America Oral History Project. Fighter pilot and U.S. Air Force veteran. Recounts his training as a fighter pilot during the war in Vietnam. Shares how he and a fellow pilots planes were shot down in Northern Laos and how Air America rescued them.

OH 1892

For the Air America Oral History Project. Pilot and Army veteran. Childhood in Alabama; early fascination with aviation; ROTC fixed-wing flight training; transition to rotary craft; military combat tour in Vietnam with 201st Aviation Company; flying with Air America in southeast Asia; interview with Air America; assignment to Saigon, Vietnam; Air America missions in Cambodia.

OH 1855

For the DFW Metroplex Immigration Oral History Project. Iranian-born immigrant to Plano, Texas; Civil/structural engineer and businessman. Childhood in Shiraz, Iran; coming to America at fourteen by himself; living with extended family in Texas; adjusting to America and learning English; parents’ escape from Iran during the Iranian Revolution; education in American; work experience; continuing Iranian traditions in own family; opportunities provided in America.

OH 1753

For the DFW Metroplex Immigrants Oral History Project. Colombian-born immigrant to Garland, Texas. Life in Colombia; husband’s decision to immigrate to the U.S.; joining husband in the U.S.; sons kidnapped in Colombia; illegally crossing into the U.S. from Mexico; obtaining labor certification and resident visa; comparison of life being in the U.S. illegally and legally; brother’s deportation; becoming an American citizen.