Veteran and CGCC Alumnus Honors WWII Veteran by Documenting His Story

Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Sgt. Ernie Ferguson and Zebadiah Baney
Sgt. Ernie Ferguson and Zebadiah Baney

Air Force veteran Zebadiah Baney recently filmed and produced a short documentary about World War II veteran Sgt. Ernie Ferguson. Zebadiah is a Chandler-Gilbert alumnus who served as the president of the Student Veterans Organization during his time at CGCC. Now a commercial pilot, Zebadiah used his flight skills to operate a drone to film Sgt. Ferguson’s return to the island of Peleliu, part of the nation of Palau. Sgt. Ferguson served with Bravo Company 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment Marines in the Battle of Peleliu, which occurred September 15 - November 27, 1944. Seventy percent of the 1st Marines suffered casualties during this battle. Sgt. Ferguson was part of the first wave of troops to land on the island, and his return in February 2020 may be one of the last made by a living veteran. In “First In, Last Out,” Sgt. Ferguson shares his personal narrative of the battle and returns to Peleliu for the first time in more than 75 years.

Watch “First In, Last Out” below.

Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve our country.