Sunday, April 02, 2006

A Salute to A Hero and A Friend

If you felt America sigh today, it was because, sadly, she had to give up one of her best. With grief for the nation's loss, and celebration for the great life he lived, we honor hero and friend retired Chief Warrant Officer Mike Novosel, Sr., who passed from our world to the next April 2, 2006 at the age of 84.

Mike Novosel, whose buddies engaged in elaborate schemes to "stretch" him enough to meet minimum height requirements for flying, was a giant in Army aviation, serving our country in World War II as a B-29 Super-fortress pilot, in Vietnam as a Huey "DUSTOFF" pilot, and as an instructor pilot and safety officer at home. So great is his contribution to Army aviation that observant visitors to Fort Rucker will note that they drive down a street called Novosel.

During his two tours piloting DUSTOFF missions in Vietnam, Mike Novosel logged 2,038 combat hours, extracting 5,589 wounded. Among the many dramatic stories of his life is that he and his son and namesake served together in the same unit and are the only father-son team in history to evacuate each other from combat.

On 2 October 1969, CWO Novosel earned the nation's highest honor when he "unhesitantingly maneuvered his helicopter into a heavily fortified and defended enemy training area where a group of wounded Vietnamese soldiers was pinned down by a large enemy force. Flying without gunship or other cover and exposed to intense machine gun fire" Novosel, who was wounded in the action, extracted 29 men that day. At 48, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon.

One might expect that a hero of Novosel's stature had earned the right to be aloof, but everyone who met him, whether it was a kid at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial or a wounded soldier freshly returned from Iraq or a filmmaker who wanted to take a Huey across America, would soon learn that this man who wore a medal-adorned blue ribbon around his neck was not only a true American hero but also the nicest guy in the world. He spent his last years fully engaged in the fight to award combat flight recognition to the DUSTOFF medics and crew chiefs he so fully respected.

Mike Novosel life was a monument to the twentieth century, but he wore it with a twinkle in his eye and a joke on his lips. We are very honored to have met him. He was a gem.

On October 2, 2002, exactly 33 years to the day after the heroic Vietnam War mission which earned him the Medal of Honor, CWO Mike Novosel took the left seat of Huey 091 on the maiden leg of her flight across America. On this symbolic flight from the home of Army Aviation in Fort Rucker, Alabama to a first landing to honor the war dead at Wall South in Pensacola, Florida, Mike Novosel represented all the life savers who flew Hueys and all the lives men like him had saved. Dressed in the flight suit he'd worn on his first duty day as an Army aviator, Novosel helped set the tone for "In The Shadow of The Blade's" symbolic mission of healing and reconciliation. And he was there when 091 made her final landing on The Mall in Washington, D.C.

Today, America sighed, but heaven must be singing, for it has been joined by an indomitable, twinkly-eyed, good-to-the-core spirit who will make a very, very fine angel.

Visit the Arrowhead site starting Monday to view video tributes to Mike.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I AM SO SORRY TO VIEW THIS NEWS TODAY! When Jack Payne of the 114th Knights suggested I talk to Mike Novosel, after flying with his son in the Gulf, it quickly happened right away. Here I was talking to this extraordinary Medal Of Honor winner, who contributed his book "DustOff" so fluidly, and then he was willing to be helpful to my production of "Outlaws in Vietnam". Like Larry Gwin's admonishments for his book "Baptism", they both let me know this wasn't going to be easy--getting the book accomplished. Rewrites followed rewrites, and they were truthful for what I had to undergo. But, hearing Mike's voice on the phone late at night, showed he was so intriguingly forthright and everything true--concerning anyone ever said about him. It was refreshing, and let me know we were all part of the same process which produced himself, and my compatriots. God bless, Mike. You are probably home now....and truly welcomed aboard! DAVE EASTMAN, OL 23,-24

Anonymous said...

I'm saddened by this hero's passing. God Bless him and his family in this, their time of grief.

Anonymous said...

I am saddened to hear that a great American and fellow Viet Nam Veteran has taken that great Huey to the Lords LZ. Semper Fi and God Bless Mike Novosel and condolences to his family.

Stan (doc) Sellers Team "Dallas Girl"

Anonymous said...

I first met Mike Novosel at Fort Rucker in 1985 when I attended his retirement from active duty. As an Army Aviator, to have the opportunity to meet such an icon was truly an inspiration. Over the years I would see Mike at the Army Aviation Association conventions but I had no idea that I would have the honor to fly with him nearly 20 years from our first meeting; one thing is for certain, he never lost his control touch. Mike's legacy will live on for a long time to come. All those who proudly wear the designation of Army Aviator, past, present, and future, will know that Mike Novosel was the gold standard in terms of leadership, courage, and in setting the example for others. He may be gone but he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Mike, your country salutes you.

Anonymous said...

Sad news, indeed. I met Mike when he was an instructor while I was attending the Warrant Officer Advanced Course in 1974.
He was legend then and his reputation has spread since. It was always a pleasure to spend time with him.

He was a fine man. We can be proud to have shared his company.

SALUTE!

Anonymous said...

I had the honor of meeting this fine man while deployed to Andrews AFB this past spring. I, along with many of my comrades, were part of the aeromedical staging squadron and transported him and his family to/from his flights. He was a gracious man. He and his family continue to be a part of our aeromedical family.

Anonymous said...

god bless mike novosel...i believe his service in the usaaf was in the b-24, not the 29. his book was spell-binding, his life and service to this country was extraordinary

Anonymous said...

When I was in 87-19 at Mother Rucker we had a few classes taught by Mike Sr., he made a profound statement. He stated "look around the room and see who's number one in your class, it'll be your first fatality". I remember nudging my stick buddy in the ribs and saying "sure glad that's you and not me". My buddy was so good that he made PIC within 4 months of graduation, NVG PIC within 5 and dead with 6 months. Mike's statement was poignant and it shaped what kind of aviator I would become. When Mike Jr. showed with the AH64 Forced Mod Team at 12th Brigade he was my Co-Pilot while he got used to Germany and ICAO. We talked about this and I discovered that it wasn’t just Mike Sr., that was an incredibly insightful, talented and humble … it was the entire family. I miss those days, I miss those guys and I’m incredibly sad to hear of Mike Sr.’s going west. I feel sorry for those that never had the good fortune of meeting him; I feel incredibly sad for those that did know him. Mike Jr., if you come across this post I’d love to pass my condolences in person some time in the coming year. I’m with USAF 129th Rescue now. Butte, out.

Sarge said...

I didn't know Mike Novosel and I never flew on ole # 091 but someone just like him and one of the great sister ships of the Hueys were directly responsible for me being here and alive today.
God bless Mike Novosel and all the crewmembers of Dustoff, the great Huey helicopters, the soldiers who faught and served and the United States of America.

ssgtbrwright
United States Army
1969-1973