FERGERSTROM-GILBERT

Mid January, days before the 2016 Blizzard, friends and family of LCDR “Fergie” Fergerstrom  (1921-2000) gathered at the US Navy Memorial to attend a plaque dedication ceremony is his honor.

Three generations of family service members were on hand for this celebration; Fergie’s son, CWO4 Jerry Parli (Ret.), grandsons EW1 Mark Parli and MMC(SW) Matt Parli and great grandson Sgt Jared Parli, USMC.  HMCM(AC) Steve Meyer, Jerry’s son in law, was also in attendance. Nathan Parli and Joey Parli were also present.

Growing up, I simply failed to see the history that surrounded me.  I’d stay with my grandfather frequently; however, I was slow in asking him about his experiences and achievements while serving in the Navy.  Always seeing pictures of Fergie and a gentleman named “Arleigh”, it helped to spark that question – “who is that?”

Fergie was a Hawaiian native who joined the Navy during the summer of 1941.  Having completed Radioman school in San Diego, he was transferred to Ford Island, Oahu in October of the same year.  As with everyone in Hawaii that fateful day, my grandfather had a swift and personal introduction into the War.  Finishing that fateful tour, he was then transferred to the fleet – USS Charles Ausburne (DD-570), which at the time, was led by Captain Arleigh Burke.  Petty Officer Fergerstrom was the Bridge’s Radioman during many of the infamous battles that the “Little Beavers” encountered.   With a Presidential Unit Citation and that tour behind him, Fergie eventually made Radioman Chief and remained in the Communications Field.  Accepted into the Warrant Officer and LDO Program, he continued to serve our nation proudly.  Having been assigned as the Communications Office in Charge in the Philippines, Kagnew Station (Ethiopia) and finally as the Cryptologist School OIC in San Diego; Fergie’s twilight tour took him back home to Oahu, where he was the Officer in Charge, Naval Communication Activities for Pearl Harbor.

LCDR Fergerstrom was a pillar of Respect, Integrity, and Honor.  He is truly missed amongst our friends and family but lives strong in our hearts and minds today. 

Please take the time to ask those who served “who is that?”, it could make all the difference in the world.  

 

Admiral Totushek, Jerry Parli, Mark Parli, Jared Parli, Matt Parli