He became a naturalized United States citizen March 28, 1930; graduated from a local high school in 1931, and from Fullerton Junior College in California, in 1934.

In October 1943, Ferguson organized and commanded the 405th Fighter-Bomber Group at Waterboro, South Carolina, and took it to Europe four months later.

He participated with the 405th Group in preinvasion attacks on Europe until his assignment in April 1944 as assistant chief of staff with the 9th Fighter Command.

In December 1961, General Ferguson became deputy chief of staff for research and development at Headquarters U.S. Air Force.

He retired from the Air Force on September 1, 1970, and died on July 13, 2000, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.