While travelling to perform diving medical officer related assignments, Lt. Christopher Ferguson was again at the right place at the right time in Oxnard, California, Oct. 24.

Ferguson, who has rendered aid eight other times, whether on a plane providing first aid to a World War II veteran to assisting in an automobile accident, has a knack for being there to help when and where he can.

Assigned as the Underwater Constructions Team (UCT) surgeon at Navy Expeditionary Combat Command/NECC Pacific, Ferguson was traveling to UCT 2 in Port Hueneme when he came upon a motor vehicle accident.

"Serving as the first responder, and aided by a local civilian nurse we removed the individual from the vehicle, while maintaining c-spine precautions, amidst the smell of leaking gasoline and facing the possibility of an electrical fire," recounted Ferguson, who once a safe distance from the accident scene, helped to maintain a usable airway for the injured civilian and stayed on the scene until emergency medical services could arrive.

Ferguson added medicine has been a calling of his since high school and is humbled by the experiences he has had, but is relieved he could offer assistance when needed.

"As I have acquired more medical skills and knowledge I maintain an obligation to help those in need," said Ferguson. "This was the case that evening as the I hit the breaks in my rental car to stop. I don't recall making any decision; I just took action."

During his day job, Ferguson performs a key role in overseeing the training of independent duty corpsmen assigned to UCT 1, located at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and UCT 2.

NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations that is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

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