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Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Novosel MOH (deceased)

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Enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1941, Michael Novosel saw combat in the Pacific flying B29s out of Tinian against Japan, and was called up to active service again during the Korean War, eventually reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Again requesting active duty during the Vietnam War, he was informed that the Air Force was over strength in senior officers, so he promptly accepted an appointment as a Warrant Officer Aviator with the US Army. Flying two tours on Hueys in Vietnam as a “Dustoff Pilot”, he was assigned first to the 283rd Medical Detachment, and for his second tour the 82nd where, on 2nd October 1969 in Kien Tuong Province, he saved the lives of 29 wounded soldiers in 15 extremely hazardous extractions under withering enemy fire. For this he was awarded the Medal of Honour. During his tours in Vietnam, he evacuated a total of 5589 wounded soldiers. When he retired in 1985 after 42 years service and 2038 hours combat flight time, he was the last active duty military aviator on flight status who had flown combat during World War II. Sadly, Michael Novosel died 2nd April 2006.

Medal of Honor Citation :

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 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.


Awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of
Honor

Items Signed by Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Novosel MOH (deceased)

A trio of Bell Huey UH-1s deliver ARVN Rangers to a drop zone in the central Highlands of Vietnam during 1970. The ubiquitous Huey saw action in an enormous variety of roles, Vietnam being the first true helicopter war, and it will perhaps be remembered by many a grateful GI for its (and its crews) part in many hundreds of daring rescues amid the unyielding and unfamiliar terrain of south east Asia. DZ 9.00am by Ivan Berryman. (APB)Click For DetailsDHM1105APB
No aircraft came to symbolize the war in Vietnam more than the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, better known to the men who flew, and fought from this aircraft - and to those who were to owe it their survival, by just one never to be forgotten name - the Huey. Ideally suited to the terrain of South Vietnam - formidable mountain peaks, dense jungle, almost every other acre of land under water, and the fact that large tracts of the countryside were controlled by the Vietcong and impassable, the Huey became one of the US Armys most effective weapons of the war. With the ability to carry eight fully equipped troops, the Huey was also ideal for use as Medevac flying ambulances, which were to create their own legend. By the end of the conflict the Hueys had notched up a staggering 34 million combat sorties flown! In July 1965 the 1st Air Cavalry, equipped with 500 Hueys arrived in South Vietnam to begin what became the longest tour of duty in American combat history. Under the command of the flamboyant Colonel John Stockton, the 1st Air Cavalry went on the immediate offensive, swiftly creating a devastating impact on the enemy, bringing them to battle wherever they could be found. Ride of the Valkyries by Simon Atack (AP)Click For DetailsDHM2268AP
No aircraft came to symbolize the war in Vietnam more than the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, better known to the men who flew, and fought from this aircraft - and to those who were to owe it their survival, by just one never to be forgotten name - the Huey. Ideally suited to the terrain of South Vietnam - formidable mountain peaks, dense jungle, almost every other acre of land under water, and the fact that large tracts of the countryside were controlled by the Vietcong and impassable, the Huey became one of the US Armys most effective weapons of the war. With the ability to carry eight fully equipped troops, the Huey was also ideal for use as Medevac flying ambulances, which were to create their own legend. By the end of the conflict the Hueys had notched up a staggering 34 million combat sorties flown! In July 1965 the 1st Air Cavalry, equipped with 500 Hueys arrived in South Vietnam to begin what became the longest tour of duty in American combat history. Under the command of the flamboyant Colonel John Stockton, the 1st Air Cavalry went on the immediate offensive, swiftly creating a devastating impact on the enemy, bringing them to battle wherever they could be found. Ride of the Valkyries by Simon Atack (B)Click For DetailsDHM2268B
No aircraft came to symbolize the war in Vietnam more than the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, better known to the men who flew, and fought from this aircraft - and to those who were to owe it their survival, by just one never to be forgotten name - the Huey. Ideally suited to the terrain of South Vietnam - formidable mountain peaks, dense jungle, almost every other acre of land under water, and the fact that large tracts of the countryside were controlled by the Vietcong and impassable, the Huey became one of the US Armys most effective weapons of the war. With the ability to carry eight fully equipped troops, the Huey was also ideal for use as Medevac flying ambulances, which were to create their own legend. By the end of the conflict the Hueys had notched up a staggering 34 million combat sorties flown! In July 1965 the 1st Air Cavalry, equipped with 500 Hueys arrived in South Vietnam to begin what became the longest tour of duty in American combat history. Under the command of the flamboyant Colonel John Stockton, the 1st Air Cavalry went on the immediate offensive, swiftly creating a devastating impact on the enemy, bringing them to battle wherever they could be found. Ride of the Valkyries by Simon Atack (C)Click For DetailsDHM2268C
No aircraft came to symbolize the war in Vietnam more than the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, better known to the men who flew, and fought from this aircraft - and to those who were to owe it their survival, by just one never to be forgotten name - the Huey. Ideally suited to the terrain of South Vietnam - formidable mountain peaks, dense jungle, almost every other acre of land under water, and the fact that large tracts of the countryside were controlled by the Vietcong and impassable, the Huey became one of the US Armys most effective weapons of the war. With the ability to carry eight fully equipped troops, the Huey was also ideal for use as Medevac flying ambulances, which were to create their own legend. By the end of the conflict the Hueys had notched up a staggering 34 million combat sorties flown! In July 1965 the 1st Air Cavalry, equipped with 500 Hueys arrived in South Vietnam to begin what became the longest tour of duty in American combat history. Under the command of the flamboyant Colonel John Stockton, the 1st Air Cavalry went on the immediate offensive, swiftly creating a devastating impact on the enemy, bringing them to battle wherever they could be found. Ride of the Valkyries by Simon Atack (D)Click For DetailsDHM2268D
Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Novosel MOH (deceased)

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