I didn’t know if you guys had heard this news or not, so I thought I’d pass it along: ----------- News Release Public Affairs Office Building 115, Fort Rucker, Al 36362 Date: 2 Apr 2006 For more information: 334-255-2252 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE It is with great sadness that the announces the loss of a great Army Aviation hero, Medal of Honor recipient CW4 (Ret.) Michael J. Novosel. Mr Novosel died on 2april 2006 at after an extended illness. While Novosel’s heroism as a combat pilot is well documented in the Army Aviation community, he will be remembered to many as a soft spoken gentleman who, even in retirement, made himself available to lecture at the and he also became a Senior Tactical Adviser in the Warrant Officer Candidate Program at . The Aviation Soldiers serving throughout the world express their deepest sympathy to Mr. Novosel’s family. “CW4 Mike Novosel was an extraordinary patriot who showed all Americans what it means to serve. He was an incredibly genuine person, who loved to talk with the generations of Soldier Aviators who followed about what it means to truly put your life on the line for one another and to never leave a fallen comrade behind. His gallantry and loyalty to his fellow Soldiers is an example we will all strive to live up to. His loss is felt not only by his family and the Army Aviation community, but by all those who knew and loved him,” said Brig. Gen. E. J. Sinclair, Commander, U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center.  Biographical Information Born September 3, 1922 and raised in , Novosel became an aviation cadet in the U.S. Army Air Forces when he was 19 years old. After earning his commission and pilot wings on December 15, 1942, he instructed in the North American AT-6 Texan at . By December 1944, Novosel had logged more than 800 hours in the Consolidated B-24 Liberator supporting aerial gunner training. Then, he went to Maxwell Air Force Base, , to qualify in the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. In July 1945, following crew training in , Novosel left for in the Pacific where he flew four combat missions with the 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy). After the end of World War II, he flew two missions to drop food to Allied prisoners of war in . During the Japanese surrender ceremony on the USS Missouri, Novosel commanded a B-29 in a 462-ship fly-over. He then took command of the 99th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) and remained in the Pacific until the fall of 1947. Following his service in World War II he was assigned to Eglin AFB, , where he was a B-29 test pilot. In 1949, Novosel left active duty and joined the Air Force Reserve. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, at the grade of Major and attended the Air Command and . Novosel was promoted to Lt. Col. with the Air Force Reserve in 1964 and requested active duty for service during the Vietnam War. When informed that the Air Force was over-strength in its senior grades, he vacated his position with the Air Force Reserves and accepted an appointment as a Warrant Officer Aviator with the U.S. Army. Returning to combat as a “dustoff” (medivac) helicopter pilot, he served two tours in , flying 2,543 missions in the Bell UH-1 Huey while airlifting nearly 5,600 medical evacuees. On October 2, 1969, Novosel received word of wounded South Vietnamese soldiers pinned down by a large enemy force. Flying without air cover, he encountered ground fire so intense it forced him away six times. Courageously, he completed 15 hazardous extractions. On the last, just as a wounded soldier was pulled into the aircraft, the enemy unleashed a hail of fire directly at Novosel. Wounded, he momentarily lost control of the aircraft, but recovered and flew to safety. In all, he saved 29 men. He was nominated for and later received the Congressional Medal of Honor for these actions. In March 1970, a UH-1 helicopter piloted by Novosel’s son was shot down. The senior Novosel heard the “Mayday” call from 15 minutes away. With assurance from the aircraft commander that his son’s crew had survived the crash and found shelter, Novosel completed his own mission before flying to their aid. The younger Novosel returned the favor seven days later when his father was shot down. Just 19 at the time, Mike Jr. flew to his father’s rescue. Following his heroic service in , he served 3 years at , as chief pilot for the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team. On occasion, he jumped with the team to maintain proficiency. Novosel’s next assignment was at where he was an author and lecturer at the until 1976. An assignment in as the Second Infantry Division’s Aviation Safety Officer followed. In May 1983, Novosel was assigned new duties as the Aviation Center Senior Training, Advising and Counseling (TAC) Officer with the Warrant Officer Candidate Program. At the time of his retirement on February 28, 1985, Novosel was the last active duty military aviator on flight status who had flown combat missions in World War II. Known as the “Dean of the Dustoff Pilots” Novosel was an aviator on flight status for more than 42 years. He accumulated 12,400 hours of military flying time of which 2,038 were flown in combat. ------ God be with his family, Frank |
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Amazing life and career. Another legend enters Valhalla…
I sulute him, and his family is in my prayers.
Lee
I had heard, a sad loss, may he rest in peace
I had the honor to meet Mike Novosel and be seated next to him at the 174th AHC 2002 Reunion. He indeed was a soft spoken gentleman! He was our Guest Speaker that year and according to him he almost didn’t make it into Flight School do to his height, or rather lack of it. His courage and determination made him a “giant” among us mere mortals. God bless him!
Sorry to hear that
I never met the man, but I know his son and he is a damn good pilot as well.
Jonathan Primm
A USAF C-130J came in to Cairns today and took Mr. Novosel on to Arlington. Unfortunately I never got to meet Mr. Novosel, but many of the veterans that I’ve worked closely with over at the museum told me numerous times that I’d love talking to him. Just an amazing man, and truly the world is a lesser place without him.
All the best to his family.
What a guy. They don’t makem like that anymore.
Thanks for the update Frank.
I consider myself very lucky. I went out to lunch with him several years ago when I visited Ft. Rucker. I knew the Museum guys fairly well and hung out in the upstairs offices for the day doing reseach on hueys. He came there that day and we all went to lunch at the O club. I got him to sign my dustoff book and he gave me a card. It was really cool. It was great!
interesting man
Wow what a career!
21 Gun Salute to this man!
A loooong time ago when I was just getting a start in my military career, I arrived at the 1st Aviation Training Brigade at Ft Rucker in the summer of 1984, after only a short time in the Army. I was part of the “high school to flight school” program. You could imagine how nervous I was getting there just after completing basic training for WOFT. Well, while inprocessing as a WOC I actually got the opportunity to meet Chief Novosel. For cryin out loud, his MOH mission was painted as a mural in the chow hall! But being the type of person he was, he went out of his way to put me at ease and take my mind off how nervous and intimidated I was. Later, I remember vividly at the base commisary there was a vendor outside that would make fresh pork rinds. You could get them normal, mild and hot. Let me tell you that the hot ones would burn the paint off your truck. Well…there’s Chief Novosel standing at the vender eating the hot pork rinds with (I think) a six pack of Dr Pepper. As me and my classmates walked up he wiped off the sweat on his brow and painfully said…"whew…boys, want some rinds?
I feel kinda bad for not taking the time to research his military career, especially (like I said) after I had seen the mural painted in the chow hall of him, his prior service in the USAF, the MOH mission and his kindness when I first arrived.
I salute the man, his service and the path he chose to always answer the call when the country was in need, regardless of the obstacles.
A moment of silence gentleman. A great man has departed on his last flight.
Smooth flying on your final flight Chief. The country has lost a true hero. God rest his soul.
The word “hero” doesn’t seem enough. I have been aware of this mans career for a few years now and I stand in awe. I read his biography. He wasn’t on this earth for anything for himself. He was here to help others and his nation. God , please take care of this man. Mankind as a whole owes him. R.I.P. Mr. Novosel.
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