960:
and defended enemy training area where a group of wounded
Vietnamese soldiers were pinned down by a large enemy force. Flying without gunship or other cover and exposed to intense machinegun fire, CWO Novosel was able to locate and rescue a wounded soldier. Since all communications with the beleaguered troops had been lost, he repeatedly circled the battle area, flying at low level under continuous heavy fire, to attract the attention of the scattered friendly troops. This display of courage visibly raised their morale, as they recognized this as a signal to assemble for evacuation. On 6 occasions he and his crew were forced out of the battle area by the intense enemy fire, only to circle and return from another direction to land and extract additional troops. Near the end of the mission, a wounded soldier was spotted close to an enemy bunker. Fully realizing that he would attract a hail of enemy fire, CWO Novosel nevertheless attempted the extraction by hovering the helicopter backward. As the man was pulled on aboard, enemy automatic weapons opened fire at close range, damaged the aircraft and wounded CWO Novosel. He momentarily lost control of the aircraft, but quickly recovered and departed under the withering enemy fire. In all, 15 extremely hazardous extractions were performed in order to remove wounded personnel. As a direct result of his selfless conduct, the lives of 29 soldiers were saved. The extraordinary heroism displayed by CWO Novosel was an inspiration to his comrades in arms and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
699:
692:
405:
558:
576:
533:
503:
601:
683:
544:
430:
314:
510:
494:
487:
640:
665:
551:
448:
595:
588:
442:
424:
417:
400:
651:
457:
634:
627:
620:
613:
570:
527:
520:
391:
382:
466:
677:
479:
472:
31:
899:
288:
support, Novosel flew at low altitude under continuous enemy fire. He skimmed the ground with his helicopter while his medic and crew chief pulled the wounded men on board. He completed 15 hazardous extractions, was wounded in a barrage of enemy fire, and momentarily lost control of his helicopter, but when it was over, he had rescued 29 men. He completed his tour in March 1970.
974:
284:) with the 283rd Medical Detachment. His second tour in Vietnam was with the 82nd Medical Detachment. During that war, Novosel flew 2,543 missions and extracted 5,589 wounded personnel, among them his own son Michael J. Novosel Jr. The following week, Michael Jr. returned the favor by extracting his father after he was shot down.
658:
959:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. CWO Novosel, 82d
Medical Detachment, distinguished himself while serving as commander of a medical evacuation helicopter. He unhesitatingly maneuvered his helicopter into a heavily fortified
329:
in
Washington, D.C. The cancer tumor was greatly reduced in December 2005 and January 2006. In February, he concluded chemotherapy and other treatments and waited to regain strength in preparation for surgery on March 7. His prognosis appeared excellent, yet he never fully recovered from the shock of
287:
On the morning of
October 2, 1969, Novosel set out to evacuate a group of South Vietnamese soldiers who were surrounded by several thousand North Vietnamese light infantry near the Cambodian border. Radio communication was lost and the soldiers had expended their ammunition. Without air cover or fire
279:
In 1963, Novosel was working as a commercial airline pilot when he decided to return to active military duty. By then, he was 41 and the Air Force did not have space for any more officers in the upper ranks. He decided to give up his rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force to join the Army and
291:
Novosel retired as the senior warrant officer with the
Warrant Officer Candidate Program in 1984. He had been a military aviator for 42 years and was the last World War II military aviator in the U.S. to remain on active flying duty. He accumulated 12,400 military flying hours, including 2,038 in
275:
During the Korean War, Novosel joined the Air Force
Reserve and went back on active duty to serve his country. He left the service again in 1953 and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve in 1955.
1294:
1304:
1279:
1299:
296:, during his retirement, and he was frequently invited as an honored guest for military lectures and ceremonies throughout the nation. He co-piloted the liftoff of the
922:, created by Congress, recommended that Fort Rucker be renamed Fort Novosel. The renaming ceremony and presentation of a new monument took place on April 10, 2023.
1284:
1039:
280:
fly helicopters as a chief warrant officer (CW4) with the elite
Special Forces Aviation Section. He served his first tour in Vietnam flying medevac helicopters (
987:
1264:
1259:
1314:
370:. He was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 1975. Upon his retirement, he received a rare honor for a living hero when the main street at
1339:
1319:
1269:
1349:
1329:
1063:
1081:
351:
736:
359:
172:
1274:
233:, the United States' highest military decoration, for his bravery in conducting a medical evacuation under fire in the Vietnam War.
318:
1344:
355:
1289:
1324:
1132:
350:
presented to
Novosel the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor in combat. His many other awards included the
1309:
1008:
1334:
1153:
374:, Alabama, was renamed "Novosel Street". He also received the Distinguished Service Medal during his retiring ceremony.
932:
886:
268:
bombers in the war against Japan. He briefly left the service as the military shrank after the war, and he settled in
834:
817:
729:
717:
168:
326:
1212:
1192:
1099:
824:
793:
783:
865:
213:, served in the United States military during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He flew the
698:
325:
Novosel was diagnosed with a recurrent cancer in
November 2005, and he underwent a series of treatments at
257:
710:
331:
76:
931:
Rank and organization: Chief
Warrant Officer, U.S. Army, 82d Medical Detachment, 45th Medical Company,
855:
805:
302:
269:
691:
1117:
872:
594:
587:
441:
423:
416:
222:
879:
810:
788:
776:
109:
633:
626:
619:
612:
569:
526:
519:
1067:
404:
919:
841:
226:
771:
1254:
1249:
321:
transporting Novosel's casket during his funeral procession at Arlington National Cemetery.
1040:"Fort Rucker to be renamed to honor Alabama man, Medal of Honor recipient Michael Novosel"
557:
8:
850:
335:
293:
281:
210:
80:
676:
575:
532:
502:
297:
265:
249:
218:
214:
104:
50:
1173:
947:
910:
746:
600:
363:
313:
177:
1016:
682:
543:
429:
979:
860:
741:
253:
1136:
509:
493:
486:
197:
664:
1232:
724:
639:
230:
164:
1243:
798:
765:
657:
347:
550:
217:
bomber in World War II. To serve in the Vietnam War, he gave up the rank of
829:
753:
447:
367:
261:
182:
371:
237:
1216:
399:
939:
292:
combat. He remained active in the military community while residing in
650:
456:
390:
381:
760:
186:
30:
465:
478:
471:
1174:"Obituary: Michael J. Novosel / Medal of Honor winner dies at 83"
943:
1196:
1235:. at ArlingtonCemetery.net. 5 July 2022. (Unofficial website).
1082:"Burial Detail: Novosel, Michael L. (Section 7A, Grave 178-C)"
1295:
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
898:
1305:
Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
252:, the son of Croatian immigrants, and he grew up during the
1280:
United States Army Air Forces bomber pilots of World War II
1066:. United States Air Force. October 27, 2002. Archived from
330:
the surgery. He died on April 2, 2006, and was buried at
1300:
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
988:
List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
969:
1088:. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).
240:, Alabama, was renamed Fort Novosel in his honor.
1241:
1285:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War
1100:"Fort Rucker officially renamed Fort Novosel"
1265:Vietnam War recipients of the Medal of Honor
1260:United States Army Medal of Honor recipients
1133:"history.amedd.army.mil: Michael J. Novosel"
1315:Recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)
925:
29:
1151:
1006:
1171:
312:
946:, October 2, 1969. Entered service at:
354:(which was later upgraded to the MOH),
308:Dustoff – The Memoir of an Army Aviator
209:(September 3, 1922 – April 2, 2006) of
1340:People from Fort Walton Beach, Florida
1320:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
1270:United States Army Air Forces officers
1242:
1154:"Decorated Veteran Michael J. Novosel"
1118:"homeofheros.com: Novosel, Michael J."
264:, and by 1945 he was a captain flying
16:American military officer (1922–2006)
1350:Military personnel from Pennsylvania
1037:
1330:American people of Croatian descent
1193:"The Michael Novosel J. Foundation"
1007:Clevinger, Brian (April 10, 2006).
950:Born: September 3, 1922, Etna, Pa.
13:
1015:. Nuklearpower.com. Archived from
887:Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
838:with two bronze oak leaf clusters
14:
1361:
1172:Simonich, Milan (April 5, 2006).
1152:Bernstein, Adam (April 4, 2006).
1110:
835:Air Force Longevity Service Award
1275:United States Air Force officers
972:
897:
880:Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal
845:with four bronze campaign stars
818:Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
730:Army Distinguished Service Medal
697:
690:
681:
675:
663:
656:
649:
638:
632:
625:
618:
611:
599:
593:
586:
574:
568:
556:
549:
542:
531:
525:
518:
508:
501:
492:
485:
477:
470:
464:
455:
446:
440:
428:
422:
415:
403:
398:
389:
380:
229:in the Army. He was awarded the
169:Army Distinguished Service Medal
134:Chief Warrant Officer Four (USA)
1009:"Episode 681: Of Civilizations"
366:with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the
327:Walter Reed Army Medical Center
1345:People from Etna, Pennsylvania
1092:
1074:
1056:
1031:
1000:
825:National Defense Service Medal
794:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
784:American Defense Service Medal
750:with bronze oak leaf clusters
1:
1290:American Senior Army Aviators
993:
866:Philippine Independence Medal
718:Air Force Command Pilot Badge
260:at age 19, ten months before
1325:American commercial aviators
1213:"In The Shadow of the Blade"
362:with two Oak Leaf Clusters,
243:
7:
1310:Recipients of the Air Medal
965:
356:Distinguished Service Medal
352:Distinguished Service Cross
332:Arlington National Cemetery
77:Arlington National Cemetery
10:
1366:
1335:Aviators from Pennsylvania
1038:Gore, Leada (2022-05-24).
856:Armed Forces Reserve Medal
806:World War II Victory Medal
737:Distinguished Flying Cross
716:
709:
397:
388:
379:
360:Distinguished Flying Cross
306:mission in 2002. His book
303:In the Shadow of the Blade
270:Fort Walton Beach, Florida
173:Distinguished Flying Cross
132:Lieutenant colonel (USAFR)
909:
896:
885:
878:
871:
864:
854:
849:
840:
833:
823:
816:
809:
804:
792:
787:
782:
775:
770:
759:
752:
745:
735:
728:
723:
711:Army Senior Aviator Badge
341:
193:
160:
148:
138:
128:
118:
95:
87:
71:
57:
37:
28:
21:
1233:"Michael J. Novosel, Sr"
1064:"Michael J. Novosel, Jr"
811:Army of Occupation Medal
142:283rd Medical Detachment
91:United States of America
1178:Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
926:Medal of Honor citation
873:Vietnam Gallantry Cross
789:American Campaign Medal
777:Army Good Conduct Medal
772:Army Commendation Medal
310:was published in 1999.
272:, to raise his family.
144:82nd Medical Detachment
110:United States Air Force
1102:. CNN. April 10, 2023.
963:
942:Province, Republic of
322:
207:Michael J. Novosel Sr.
122:1941–1963 (USAF/USAFR)
929:
920:the Naming Commission
842:Vietnam Service Medal
319:3rd Infantry Regiment
316:
227:chief warrant officer
119:Years of service
1139:on November 12, 2008
1070:on October 27, 2002.
248:Novosel was born in
67:Washington, D.C., US
1199:on January 19, 2011
1158:The Washington Post
1019:on 22 February 2009
851:Army Service Ribbon
814:with 'Japan' clasp
346:In 1971, President
336:Arlington, Virginia
294:Enterprise, Alabama
211:Enterprise, Alabama
81:Arlington, Virginia
933:68th Medical Group
323:
317:Soldiers from the
298:Bell UH-1 Iroquois
266:B-29 Superfortress
250:Etna, Pennsylvania
219:lieutenant colonel
215:B-29 Superfortress
105:United States Army
51:Etna, Pennsylvania
23:Michael J. Novosel
916:
915:
911:Air Assault Badge
905:
904:
892:
891:
747:Bronze Star Medal
742:oak leaf clusters
705:
704:
223:Air Force Reserve
204:
203:
48:September 3, 1922
1357:
1236:
1228:
1226:
1224:
1215:. Archived from
1208:
1206:
1204:
1195:. Archived from
1188:
1186:
1184:
1168:
1166:
1164:
1148:
1146:
1144:
1135:. Archived from
1128:
1126:
1124:
1104:
1103:
1096:
1090:
1089:
1078:
1072:
1071:
1060:
1054:
1053:
1051:
1050:
1035:
1029:
1028:
1026:
1024:
1004:
982:
980:Biography portal
977:
976:
975:
938:Place and date:
907:
906:
901:
894:
893:
861:hourglass device
797:with two bronze
740:with two bronze
707:
706:
701:
694:
685:
679:
667:
660:
653:
642:
636:
629:
622:
615:
603:
597:
590:
578:
572:
560:
553:
546:
535:
529:
522:
512:
505:
496:
489:
482:
481:
475:
474:
468:
459:
450:
444:
432:
426:
419:
407:
402:
393:
384:
377:
376:
256:. He joined the
254:Great Depression
97:
64:
47:
45:
33:
19:
18:
1365:
1364:
1360:
1359:
1358:
1356:
1355:
1354:
1240:
1239:
1231:
1222:
1220:
1219:on May 24, 2019
1211:
1202:
1200:
1191:
1182:
1180:
1162:
1160:
1142:
1140:
1131:
1122:
1120:
1116:
1113:
1108:
1107:
1098:
1097:
1093:
1080:
1079:
1075:
1062:
1061:
1057:
1048:
1046:
1036:
1032:
1022:
1020:
1005:
1001:
996:
978:
973:
971:
968:
956:
928:
882:
876:with gold star
875:
858:
844:
837:
827:
813:
796:
763:
749:
739:
687:
686:
680:
644:
643:
637:
630:
623:
616:
605:
604:
598:
591:
580:
579:
573:
537:
536:
530:
523:
476:
469:
452:
451:
445:
434:
433:
427:
420:
344:
246:
236:In April 2023,
198:Brian Clevinger
185:
181:
176:
171:
167:
155:
153:
143:
133:
124:1963–1984 (USA)
123:
114:
83:
72:Place of burial
66:
62:
49:
43:
41:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1363:
1353:
1352:
1347:
1342:
1337:
1332:
1327:
1322:
1317:
1312:
1307:
1302:
1297:
1292:
1287:
1282:
1277:
1272:
1267:
1262:
1257:
1252:
1238:
1237:
1229:
1209:
1189:
1169:
1149:
1129:
1112:
1111:External links
1109:
1106:
1105:
1091:
1073:
1055:
1030:
998:
997:
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992:
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990:
984:
983:
967:
964:
962:
961:
952:
927:
924:
914:
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903:
902:
890:
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884:
877:
869:
868:
863:
853:
847:
846:
839:
832:
821:
820:
815:
808:
802:
801:
799:campaign stars
791:
786:
780:
779:
774:
769:
757:
756:
751:
744:
733:
732:
727:
725:Medal of Honor
721:
720:
714:
713:
703:
702:
695:
688:
674:
673:
672:
669:
668:
661:
654:
646:
645:
631:
624:
617:
610:
609:
608:
606:
592:
585:
584:
583:
581:
567:
566:
565:
562:
561:
554:
547:
539:
538:
524:
517:
516:
515:
513:
506:
498:
497:
490:
483:
461:
460:
453:
439:
438:
437:
435:
421:
414:
413:
412:
409:
408:
395:
394:
386:
385:
343:
340:
258:Army Air Corps
245:
242:
231:Medal of Honor
202:
201:
195:
191:
190:
165:Medal of Honor
162:
158:
157:
150:
146:
145:
140:
136:
135:
130:
126:
125:
120:
116:
115:
113:
112:
107:
101:
99:
93:
92:
89:
85:
84:
75:
73:
69:
68:
65:(aged 83)
59:
55:
54:
39:
35:
34:
26:
25:
22:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1362:
1351:
1348:
1346:
1343:
1341:
1338:
1336:
1333:
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1328:
1326:
1323:
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1313:
1311:
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1296:
1293:
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1283:
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1278:
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1273:
1271:
1268:
1266:
1263:
1261:
1258:
1256:
1253:
1251:
1248:
1247:
1245:
1234:
1230:
1218:
1214:
1210:
1198:
1194:
1190:
1179:
1175:
1170:
1159:
1155:
1150:
1138:
1134:
1130:
1119:
1115:
1114:
1101:
1095:
1087:
1083:
1077:
1069:
1065:
1059:
1045:
1041:
1034:
1018:
1014:
1013:8-Bit Theater
1010:
1003:
999:
989:
986:
985:
981:
970:
958:
957:
955:
951:
949:
945:
941:
936:
934:
923:
921:
918:In May 2022,
912:
908:
900:
895:
888:
881:
874:
870:
867:
862:
857:
852:
848:
843:
836:
831:
826:
822:
819:
812:
807:
803:
800:
795:
790:
785:
781:
778:
773:
767:
766:Award numeral
762:
758:
755:
748:
743:
738:
734:
731:
726:
722:
719:
715:
712:
708:
700:
696:
693:
689:
684:
678:
671:
670:
666:
662:
659:
655:
652:
648:
647:
641:
635:
628:
621:
614:
607:
602:
596:
589:
582:
577:
571:
564:
563:
559:
555:
552:
548:
545:
541:
540:
534:
528:
521:
514:
511:
507:
504:
500:
499:
495:
491:
488:
484:
480:
473:
467:
463:
462:
458:
454:
449:
443:
436:
431:
425:
418:
411:
410:
406:
401:
396:
392:
387:
383:
378:
375:
373:
369:
365:
361:
357:
353:
349:
348:Richard Nixon
339:
337:
333:
328:
320:
315:
311:
309:
305:
304:
299:
295:
289:
285:
283:
277:
273:
271:
267:
263:
259:
255:
251:
241:
239:
234:
232:
228:
225:and became a
224:
220:
216:
212:
208:
199:
196:
192:
188:
184:
179:
174:
170:
166:
163:
159:
151:
147:
141:
137:
131:
127:
121:
117:
111:
108:
106:
103:
102:
100:
94:
90:
86:
82:
78:
74:
70:
61:April 2, 2006
60:
56:
52:
40:
36:
32:
27:
20:
1221:. Retrieved
1217:the original
1201:. Retrieved
1197:the original
1181:. Retrieved
1177:
1161:. Retrieved
1157:
1141:. Retrieved
1137:the original
1094:
1086:ANC Explorer
1085:
1076:
1068:the original
1058:
1047:. Retrieved
1043:
1033:
1021:. Retrieved
1017:the original
1012:
1002:
953:
937:
930:
917:
859:with bronze
830:service star
754:Purple Heart
368:Purple Heart
345:
324:
307:
301:
290:
286:
278:
274:
262:Pearl Harbor
247:
235:
206:
205:
183:Purple Heart
152:World War II
149:Battles/wars
63:(2006-04-02)
1255:2006 deaths
1250:1922 births
1023:24 December
948:Kenner, La.
372:Fort Rucker
364:Bronze Star
238:Fort Rucker
178:Bronze Star
156:Vietnam War
1244:Categories
1223:October 4,
1203:October 4,
1183:October 4,
1163:October 4,
1143:October 4,
1123:October 4,
1121:Retrieved
1049:2022-10-11
994:References
940:Kien Tuong
883:1st class
200:, grandson
154:Korean War
88:Allegiance
44:1922-09-03
954:Citation:
761:Air Medal
244:Biography
194:Relations
187:Air Medal
966:See also
300:for the
96:Service/
944:Vietnam
282:Dustoff
221:in the
342:Honors
161:Awards
98:branch
828:with
764:with
334:, in
1225:2010
1205:2010
1185:2010
1165:2010
1145:2010
1125:2010
1025:2009
189:(64)
139:Unit
129:Rank
58:Died
53:, US
38:Born
768:64
180:(2)
175:(3)
1246::
1176:.
1156:.
1084:.
1044:al
1042:.
1011:.
935:.
358:,
338:.
79:,
1227:.
1207:.
1187:.
1167:.
1147:.
1127:.
1052:.
1027:.
46:)
42:(
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