Inducted
1991
Degrees
- B.S. Chemical Engineering, West Virginia University, 1957
- M.S. Metallurgical Engineering, Ohio State
Thomas Ferguson retired from the United State Air Force in June 1993 as the commander of the Aeronautical Systems Center, the largest Air Force research and development center, located at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He was a command pilot with 4,000 hours of flying time. Most of his flying was in B 52 aircraft with the strategic air command and includes missions over Vietnam. He was also assigned to 7th Air Force Headquarters in Saigon.
Ferguson received his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at West Virginia University in 1957 and his master's degree in metallurgical engineering at Ohio State. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honorary, and his military education includes the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Besides his operational flying experience, Ferguson's background includes assignments with the Air Force Laboratories, the Aeronautical Systems Center's development planning office and as the program director for the AGM 65 maverick missile and the advanced medium range air to air missile system program offices. He was presented the Stewart Award as Aeronautical Systems Center's outstanding program director while leading the Maverick program and was recognized by Aviation Week's Laurels for accomplishments as the AMRAAM program director. He has held staff positions at the Pentagon and the then Air Force Systems Command Headquarters. Among those was an assignment as the principle deputy, office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition.
Ferguson is married to Mary Bird Carder, class of 1958. They reside at Liawah Island, South Carolina, where he does consulting with Dayton Aerospace Associates of Dayton, Ohio. The Fergusons have two children and take great joy in their five grandchildren.