This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Michael Bridge
to remember
Novosel, Michael J., Sr., Lt Col.
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Etna, PA
Last Address Washington, DC
Date of Passing Apr 02, 2006
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Michael Novosel joined the Army Air Corps on February 7, 1941. After completing flight training, he was assigned as a test pilot until 1945. He was assigned to the Pacific theater as a B-29 command pilot for the duration of WW2. He served in the Army Air Corps and then in the Air Force Reserves until 1964. In 1964, then Lt Col Novosel wanted to make a contribution to the growing Vietnam War. The Air Force only offered him a desk job in the states so he approached the Army who decided that with his extensive aviation experience, he would be a good candidate for flying "dustoff" medical evacuation helicopters. Mike Novosel then resigned his commision in the USAF Reserves and was commissioned a Warrant Office in the US Army. Warrant Officer Novosel would go on to serve two tours in Vietnam as a Dustoff pilot and would end up accumulating 2,038 hours of combat flight and 2,345 aerial missions that evacuated 5,589 wounded. During his two tours in Vietnam, he would end up earning the Purple Heart, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Medal of Honor. When he retired from active duty in November 1984, he was the last WW2 aviator still on active flying status in the US armed forces.
1943-1943, B-26 Marauder
From Year 1943
To Year 1943
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
B-26 Marauder Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Martin B-26 Marauder Length 58.23 ft | 17.75 m Width 64.99 ft | 19.81 m Height 19.82 ft | 6.04 m Engine(s) 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-41 Double-Wasp air-cooled radial-piston engines generating 2,000hp each. Empty Weight 22,381 lbs | 10,152 kg MTOW 34,200 lbs | 15,513 kg Max Speed 282 mph | 454 km/h | 245 kts Max Range 675 miles | 1,086 km Ceiling 23,507 ft | 7,165 m | 4.5 miles Climb Rate 1,250 ft/min (381 m/min) Hardpoints 1 Armament 1 x 7.7mm machine gun OR 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in nose. 1 x 7.7mm machine gun in ventral position OR 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in side fuselage position. 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in dorsal turret 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in tail position
Internal Bombload Capacity of up to 5,200lbs (2,359kg). Accommodations 7 Operators France (Free French Air Force), South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.