Eagle Biography
Michael J. Novosel, Sr. "Mike"
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Michael J. Novosel is "Dean of the Dustoff Pilots"
--the legendary breed of helicopter flyers whose record in rescuing wounded men during
battle is one of the proudest chapters in the Vietnam War. He earned his title by
evacuating more than 5,500 wounded soldiers during his tours in Vietnam. A native of
Etna, Pennsylvania, CWO Novosel began his military career in 1941 with the Army Air
Corps. After he received his wings in 1942, he was assigned to the Pacific Theater where
he piloted B-29s on missions over Japan.
He left active duty in 1949 after commanding the
99th Bombardment Squadron on Tinian. He voluntarily returned to active duty during the
Korean War and reached the rank of major before the hostilities ended. When the Vietnam
conflict began to build in the early sixties, Mr Novosel again sought to serve his
country. Since the Air Force was overstrength in his reserve grade of lieutenant colonel
in 1964, he took 4 years of military leave from Southern Airways and joined the Army as a
warrant officer.
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On 2 Oct 1969, CWO Novosel maneuvered his helicopter into a heavily fortified
enemy training area to evacuate 29 wounded Vietnamese soldiers pinned down by
a large enemy force. He performed 15 extremely hazardous extractions and was
wounded on the last attempt. At the age of 48, he became the oldest member of
the Army to receive the Medal of Honor in Vietnam.
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