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.
1947-1949, B-36 Peacemaker
From Year 1947
To Year 1949
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
B-36 Peacemaker Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model Convair B-36D Peacemaker Length 162.07 ft | 49.40 m Width 229.66 ft | 70.00 m Height 46.75 ft | 14.25 m Engine(s) 6 x 3,500 hp Pratt & Whitney R-4360-41 air-cooled radials plus 4 GE J47-GE-19 turbojet engines. Empty Weight 171,035 lbs | 77,580 kg MTOW 418,878 lbs | 190,000 kg Max Speed 439 mph | 706 km/h | 381 kts Max Range 7,500 miles | 12,070 km Ceiling 45,197 ft | 13,776 m | 8.6 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 0 Armament 12 x 20mm cannons in nose, tail and fuselage barbettes
Up to 86,000 lbs of bombs held internally. Accommodations 15 Operators the United States of America