Master Sgt. Richard L. Ferguson, 45, was a Special Forces team sergeant assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colo.

He was a resident of Woodland Park, Colo., and began his 27-year career when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1976. Ferguson served the Special Forces community for more than 25 years with the 10th SFG, both at Bad Tolz, Germany, and at Fort Carson.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

Ferguson is survived by his wife and four children.

– DE OPPRESSO LIBER –