This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Michael Bridge
to remember
Novosel, Michael J., Sr., Lt Col.
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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.
1944-1950, B-29 Superfortress
From Year 1944
To Year 1950
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
B-29 Superfortress Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Boeing B-29A Superfortress Length 99.02 ft | 30.18 m Width 142.26 ft | 43.36 m Height 29.56 ft | 9.01 m Engine(s) 4 x Wright R-3350-57 radial piston engines generating 2,200hp. Empty Weight 71,361 lbs | 32,369 kg MTOW 141,102 lbs | 64,003 kg Max Speed 358 mph | 576 km/h | 311 kts Max Range 4,100 miles | 6,598 km Ceiling 31,808 ft | 9,695 m | 6.0 miles Climb Rate 526.3 ft/min (160.4 m/min) Hardpoints 0 Armament 4 x 12.7mm machine guns in electrically-operated dorsal turret 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in electrically-operated under-nose turret 2 x 12.7mm machine guns electrically-operated turret over rear fuselage. 2 x 12.7mm machine guns electrically-operated turret under rear fuselage 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in tail gun position 1 x 20mm cannon in tail gun position
6,000lbs or internal ordnance. Accommodations 10 Operators the United States of America