Donald Porter Ferguson – 50th Reunion Essay

Donald Porter Ferguson

Date of Death: 13-Jan-1968

College: Ezra Stiles

(This memorial was published by Hopkins Grammar School, The Class of 1965.)

Don Ferguson, the eternal optimist with the ready smile, was editor-in-chief of the Razor, National Merit Commended Scholar, and Alumni Scholar. He went from HGS to Yale, but was caught up in “the war”—our generation’s war.

Don was killed in Vietnam on January 13, 1968 in a place called Bienhoa. His name has been immortalized at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, DC, but the black granite incision is small consolation. At our 30th reunion, a living memorial, a prize, and scholarship fund, was established in his memory and consecrated in a moving remembrance by Matt D’Alessio who was tutored by Don during his 1969–1970 year at Yale.

(The following was printed in the program distributed at the memorial service that took place on Reunion Day, May 13, 1995)

The Ferguson Prize—At the request of Mr. And Mrs. Franklin Ferguson, ’32 HGS, memorial gifts were sent to the Hopkins Alumni Association to establish a fund to be used for an annual prize in memory of Donald, to be awarded to a boy who best exemplified the Rotary Club motto, “service above self.” After the merger with Day Prospect Hill School in 1972, this was modified to include a girl as well. In 1986, with the permission of Mrs. Ferguson and Richard Ferguson ’63, the fund was transferred to the school with the understanding that the income would be used for scholarships as well as prizes.

From VVMF.org: February 20, 2016: In March of 1966, Donald became ill and had to leave Yale. Upon recovery, he enlisted in the US Army. Donald belonged to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division and was killed in action on January 13, 1968.