MOH soldier of the month

[fl57caveman]

World War II - U.S. Army​

LUCIAN ADAMS​

DETAILS

• RANK: STAFF SERGEANT
• CONFLICT/ERA: WORLD WAR II
• UNIT/COMMAND:
  COMPANY I, 3D BATTALION, 30TH INFANTRY,
  3D INFANTRY DIVISION
• MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. ARMY
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: OCTOBER 28, 1944
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: NEAR ST. DIE, FRANCE

CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 28 October 1944, near St. Die, France. When his company was stopped in its effort to drive through the Mortagne Forest to reopen the supply line to the isolated third battalion, SSgt. Adams braved the concentrated fire of machine guns in a lone assault on a force of German troops. Although his company had progressed less than 10 yards and had lost three killed and six wounded, SSgt. Adams charged forward dodging from tree to tree firing a borrowed BAR from the hip. Despite intense machine-gun fire which the enemy directed at him and rifle grenades which struck the trees over his head, showering him with broken twigs and branches, SSgt. Adams made his way to within 10 yards of the closest machine gun and killed the gunner with a hand grenade. An enemy soldier threw hand grenades at him from a position only 10 yards distant; however, SSgt. Adams dispatched him with a single burst of BAR fire. Charging into the vortex of the enemy fire, he killed another machine gunner at 15 yards' range with a hand grenade and forced the surrender of two supporting infantrymen. Although the remainder of the German group concentrated the full force of its automatic-weapon fire in a desperate effort to knock him out, he proceeded through the woods to find and exterminate five more of the enemy. Finally, when the third German machine gun opened up on him at a range of 20 yards, SSgt. Adams killed the gunner with BAR fire. In the course of the action, he personally killed nine Germans, eliminated three enemy machine guns, vanquished a specialized force which was armed with automatic weapons, and grenade launchers, cleared the woods of hostile elements and reopened the severed supply lines to the assault companies of his battalion.

USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• ACCREDITED TO: PORT ARTHUR, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS
• AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY: NO
• PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: APRIL 23, 1945
  ZEPMAN STADIUM, NUREMBERG, GERMANY, PRESENTED BY LT. GEN. ALEXANDER M. PATCH III
• BORN: OCTOBER 26, 1922, PORT ARTHUR, JEFFERSON COUNTY, TX, UNITED STATES
• DIED: MARCH 31, 2003, SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES
• BURIED: FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY (MH) (AI-555), SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES

 

[fl57caveman]

departed today, the last WWII MOH holder.

HERSHEL WOODROW "WOODY" WILLIAMS​

DETAILS

• ALSO KNOWN AS: WILLIAMS, WOODY
• RANK: CORPORAL (HIGHEST RANK: CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER FOUR)
• CONFLICT/ERA: WORLD WAR II
• UNIT/COMMAND:
  HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 21ST MARINES,
  3D MARINE DIVISION
• MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. MARINE CORPS RESERVE
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: FEBRUARY 23, 1945
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: IWO JIMA, VOLCANO ISLANDS

CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine-gun fire from the unyielding positions.

Covered only by four riflemen, he fought desperately for four hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. On one occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants, and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon.
His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strongpoints encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective. Cpl. Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• ACCREDITED TO: FAIRMONT, MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
• AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY: NO
• PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: OCTOBER 5, 1945
  THE WHITE HOUSE, PRESENTED BY PRES. HARRY S. TRUMAN
• BORN: OCTOBER 2, 1923, QUIET DELL, MARION COUNTY, WV, UNITED STATES
• DIED: JUNE 29, 2022, HUNTINGTON, WV, US

 

[fl57caveman]

Charles Jackson French: The Human Tugboat

Charles Jackson French was a Navy Mess Specialist 1st Class Petty Officer the night the USS Gregory (APD 3) was sunk by Japanese destroyers during the Battle of Guadalcanal. French saved the lives of

www.navy.mil

 

[Raven]

departed today, the last WWII MOH holder.

HERSHEL WOODROW "WOODY" WILLIAMS​

DETAILS

• ALSO KNOWN AS: WILLIAMS, WOODY
• RANK: CORPORAL (HIGHEST RANK: CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER FOUR)
• CONFLICT/ERA: WORLD WAR II
• UNIT/COMMAND:
  HEADQUARTERS COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 21ST MARINES,
  3D MARINE DIVISION
• MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. MARINE CORPS RESERVE
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: FEBRUARY 23, 1945
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: IWO JIMA, VOLCANO ISLANDS

CITATION
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine-gun fire from the unyielding positions.

Covered only by four riflemen, he fought desperately for four hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. On one occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants, and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon.
His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strongpoints encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective. Cpl. Williams' aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

USED WITH PERMISSION, COPYRIGHT NICK DELCALZO

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• ACCREDITED TO: FAIRMONT, MARION COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
• AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY: NO
• PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: OCTOBER 5, 1945
  THE WHITE HOUSE, PRESENTED BY PRES. HARRY S. TRUMAN
• BORN: OCTOBER 2, 1923, QUIET DELL, MARION COUNTY, WV, UNITED STATES
• DIED: JUNE 29, 2022, HUNTINGTON, WV, US

Wooooowwwwww a flame thrower man who survived... a real Motivator

 

[fl57caveman]

World War II - U.S. Army​

VITO R BERTOLDO​

DETAILS

• RANK: MASTER SERGEANT
• CONFLICT/ERA: WORLD WAR II
• UNIT/COMMAND:
  COMPANY A, 242D INFANTRY,
  42D INFANTRY DIVISION
• MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. ARMY
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: JANUARY 9 - 10, 1945
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: HATTEN, FRANCE

CITATION
He fought with extreme gallantry while guarding two command posts against the assault of powerful infantry and armored forces which had overrun the battalion's main line of resistance. On the close approach of enemy soldiers, he left the protection of the building he defended and set up his gun in the street, there to remain for almost 12 hours driving back attacks while in full view of his adversaries and completely exposed to 88-mm, machine-gun, and small-arms fire. He moved back inside the command post, strapped his machine gun to a table, and covered the main approach to the building by firing through a window, remaining steadfast even in the face of 88-mm fire from tanks only 75 yards away. One shell blasted him across the room, but he returned to his weapon.
When two enemy personnel carriers led by a tank moved toward his position, he calmly waited for the troops to dismount and then, with the tank firing directly at him, leaned out of the window and mowed down the entire group of more than 20 Germans. Some time later, removal of the command post to another building was ordered. MSgt. Bertoldo voluntarily remained behind, covering the withdrawal of his comrades and maintaining his stand all night. In the morning he carried his machine gun to an adjacent building used as the command post of another battalion and began a day-long defense of that position.

He broke up a heavy attack, launched by a self-propelled 88-mm gun covered by a tank and about 15 infantrymen. Soon afterward another 88-mm weapon moved up to within a few feet of his position, and, placing the muzzle of its gun almost inside the building, fired into the room, knocking him down and seriously wounding others. An American bazooka team set the German weapon afire, and MSgt. Bertoldo went back to his machine gun dazed as he was and killed several of the hostile troops as they attempted to withdraw. It was decided to evacuate the command post under the cover of darkness, but before the plan could be put into operation the enemy began an intensive assault supported by fire from their tanks and heavy guns.

Disregarding the devastating barrage, he remained at his post and hurled white phosphorous grenades into the advancing enemy troops until they broke and retreated. A tank less than 50 yards away fired at his stronghold, destroyed the machine gun, and blew him across the room again, but he once more returned to the bitter fight and, with a rifle, singlehandedly covered the withdrawal of his fellow soldiers when the post was finally abandoned. With inspiring bravery and intrepidity MSgt. Bertoldo withstood the attack of vastly superior forces for more than 48 hours without rest or relief, time after time escaping death only by the slightest margin while killing at least 40 hostile soldiers and wounding many more during his grim battle against the enemy hordes.

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT VITO R. BERTOLDO

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• ACCREDITED TO: DECATUR, MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
• AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY: NO
• PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: DECEMBER 18, 1945
  THE WHITE HOUSE, PRESENTED BY PRES. HARRY S. TRUMAN
• BORN: DECEMBER 1, 1916, DECATUR, MACON COUNTY, IL, UNITED STATES
• DIED: JULY 23, 1966, MARTINEZ, CA, UNITED STATES
• BURIED: GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL CEMETERY (MH) (C-52-A), SAN BRUNO, CA, UNITED STATES

 

[fl57caveman]

this will be the new name of ft rucker,al, named after this soldier....

	First Name: Michael Last Name: Novosel Birthplace: Etna, PA, USA Gender: Male Branch: Army (1784 - present) Home of Record: Kenner, LA	Middle Name: J. Date of Birth: 03 September 1922 Date of Death: 02 April 2006 Rank: Chief Warrant Officer 4 Years Served: 1941-1955, 1963-1985
Michael J. Novosel, Sr.
Engagements: • World War II (1941 - 1945) • Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)
Biography:
Michael J. Novosel, Sr. Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipient Vietnam War​ Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) Michael J. Novosel, Sr. (3 September 1922 - 2 April 2006) was a retired U.S. Army soldier who was a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. Novosel's service to his country spanned three wars - World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Michael J. Novosel was born on 3 September 1922 in the Pittsburgh-area town of Etna, PA. He was the son of Croatian immigrants, and grew up during the Great Depression fluently speaking both his parents' tongue, and English. At the age of 19, Novosel joined what was then the Army Air Corps. That was just ten months prior to Pearl Harbor, and by 1945, he was a Captain flying B-29 Superfortress bombers in the war against Japan. He left the service for a brief time due to reductions in force after the war and settled in Fort Walton Beach, FL, to raise his family. Novosel joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves and went back on active duty to again serve his country during the Korean War. He left the service again in 1953 and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve in 1955. In 1963, Novosel was working as a commercial airline pilot when a deep sense of patriotism called him to return to active military duty. By then, he was 41 and the Air Force did not have space for any more officers in the upper ranks. It was then that Novosel made the decision to give up his rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force to join the Army and fly helicopters as a chief warrant officer with the elite Special Forces Aviation Section. He served his first tour in Vietnam flying medevac helicopters (Dustoff) with the 283rd Medical Detachment. His second tour in Vietnam was with the 82nd Medical Detachment. During that war, Novosel flew 2,543 missions and extracted 5,589 wounded personnel, among them his own son, Michael J. Novosel, Jr. (the following week Michael J. Novosel, Jr. returned the favor by extracting his father after being shot down). On the morning of 2 October 1969, Novosel set out to evacuate a group of South Vietnamese soldiers who were surrounded by the enemy near the Cambodian border. The soldiers' radio communication was lost and their ammunition expended. Without air cover or fire support, Novosel flew at low altitudes while under continuous enemy fire. He skimmed the ground with his helicopter, while his medic and crew chief yanked the wounded men on board. He completed 15 hazardous extractions, was wounded in a barrage of enemy fire and momentarily lost control of his helicopter that day, but when it was over, he had rescued 29 men. Novosel completed his tour in March 1970. In 1971, then Pres. Richard Nixon placed the nation's highest award for valor in combat, the U.S. Medal of Honor, around Novosel's neck. Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army, 82d Medical Detachment, 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group. Place and date: Kien Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 2 October 1969. Entered service at: Kenner, LA. Born: 3 September 1922, Etna, PA. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. CWO Novosel, 82d Medical Detachment, distinguished himself while serving as commander of a medical evacuation helicopter. He unhesitatingly maneuvered his helicopter into a heavily fortified and defended enemy training area where a group of wounded Vietnamese soldiers were pinned down by a large enemy force. Flying without gunship or other cover and exposed to intense machinegun fire, CWO Novosel was able to locate and rescue a wounded soldier. Since all communications with the beleaguered troops had been lost, he repeatedly circled the battle area, flying at low level under continuous heavy fire, to attract the attention of the scattered friendly troops. This display of courage visibly raised their morale, as they recognized this as a signal to assemble for evacuation. On 6 occasions he and his crew were forced out of the battle area by the intense enemy fire, only to circle and return from another direction to land and extract additional troops. Near the end of the mission, a wounded soldier was spotted close to an enemy bunker. Fully realizing that he would attract a hail of enemy fire, CWO Novosel nevertheless attempted the extraction by hovering the helicopter backward. As the man was pulled on aboard, enemy automatic weapons opened fire at close range, damaged the aircraft and wounded CWO Novosel. He momentarily lost control of the aircraft, but quickly recovered and departed under the withering enemy fire. In all, 15 extremely hazardous extractions were performed in order to remove wounded personnel. As a direct result of his selfless conduct, the lives of 29 soldiers were saved. The extraordinary heroism displayed by CWO Novosel was an inspiration to his comrades in arms and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army. Novosel was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 1975. When he retired as the senior warrant officer with the Warrant Officer Candidate Program in 1985, he had been a military aviator for 42 years and was the last World War II military aviator in the U.S. to remain on active flying duty. Novosel accumulated 12,400 military flying hours, including 2,038 in combat during his career. Upon his retirement, he received a rare honor for a living hero when the main street at Fort Rucker, AL was renamed "Novosel Street." He also received his final award, the Distinguished Service Medal during his retirement ceremony. While residing in Enterprise, AL, Novosel remained active in the military community during his retirement. He frequently was invited as the honored guest for military lectures and ceremonies spanning the entire country to share his unique insights, even until the final weeks before he died. He co-piloted the liftoff of the In the Shadow of the Blade mission in 2002. His book, Dustoff - The Memoir of an Army Aviator, was published in 1999. Diagnosed with a recurrent cancer in November 2005, he had undergone a series of highly successful treatments at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. The cancer tumor had been greatly reduced in December 2005 and January 2006. In February 2006, Novosel concluded chemotherapy and other treatments and waited to regain strength in preparation for surgery on 7 March. His prognosis appeared excellent. Despite new and innovative procedures to reduce trauma, he never fully recovered from the shock of the surgery. Medals and Awards Medal of Honor Army Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster Purple Heart Air Medal with Valor "V" & bronze numeral "25" Army Commendation Medal RVN Cross of Gallantry w/ Gold Star RVN Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st Class Army Master Aviator Wings Air Force Command Pilot Wings Note: CW4 Novosel was the first person to ever be awarded both Army Master Aviator Wings and Air Force Command Pilot Wings. Honors • Novosel was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 1975. • Upon his retirement, he received a rare honor for a living hero when the main street at Fort Rucker, AL was renamed "Novosel Street." • His book, Dustoff - The Memoir of an Army Aviator, was published in 1999. • He co-piloted the liftoff of the In the Shadow of the Blade mission in 2002.

 

[Raven]

this will be the new name of ft rucker,al, named after this soldier....

	First Name: Michael Last Name: Novosel Birthplace: Etna, PA, USA Gender: Male Branch: Army (1784 - present) Home of Record: Kenner, LA	Middle Name: J. Date of Birth: 03 September 1922 Date of Death: 02 April 2006 Rank: Chief Warrant Officer 4 Years Served: 1941-1955, 1963-1985
Michael J. Novosel, Sr.
Engagements: • World War II (1941 - 1945) • Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)
Biography:
Michael J. Novosel, Sr. Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipient Vietnam War​ Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) Michael J. Novosel, Sr. (3 September 1922 - 2 April 2006) was a retired U.S. Army soldier who was a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor. Novosel's service to his country spanned three wars - World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Michael J. Novosel was born on 3 September 1922 in the Pittsburgh-area town of Etna, PA. He was the son of Croatian immigrants, and grew up during the Great Depression fluently speaking both his parents' tongue, and English. At the age of 19, Novosel joined what was then the Army Air Corps. That was just ten months prior to Pearl Harbor, and by 1945, he was a Captain flying B-29 Superfortress bombers in the war against Japan. He left the service for a brief time due to reductions in force after the war and settled in Fort Walton Beach, FL, to raise his family. Novosel joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves and went back on active duty to again serve his country during the Korean War. He left the service again in 1953 and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve in 1955. In 1963, Novosel was working as a commercial airline pilot when a deep sense of patriotism called him to return to active military duty. By then, he was 41 and the Air Force did not have space for any more officers in the upper ranks. It was then that Novosel made the decision to give up his rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force to join the Army and fly helicopters as a chief warrant officer with the elite Special Forces Aviation Section. He served his first tour in Vietnam flying medevac helicopters (Dustoff) with the 283rd Medical Detachment. His second tour in Vietnam was with the 82nd Medical Detachment. During that war, Novosel flew 2,543 missions and extracted 5,589 wounded personnel, among them his own son, Michael J. Novosel, Jr. (the following week Michael J. Novosel, Jr. returned the favor by extracting his father after being shot down). On the morning of 2 October 1969, Novosel set out to evacuate a group of South Vietnamese soldiers who were surrounded by the enemy near the Cambodian border. The soldiers' radio communication was lost and their ammunition expended. Without air cover or fire support, Novosel flew at low altitudes while under continuous enemy fire. He skimmed the ground with his helicopter, while his medic and crew chief yanked the wounded men on board. He completed 15 hazardous extractions, was wounded in a barrage of enemy fire and momentarily lost control of his helicopter that day, but when it was over, he had rescued 29 men. Novosel completed his tour in March 1970. In 1971, then Pres. Richard Nixon placed the nation's highest award for valor in combat, the U.S. Medal of Honor, around Novosel's neck. Medal of Honor Rank and organization: Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army, 82d Medical Detachment, 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group. Place and date: Kien Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 2 October 1969. Entered service at: Kenner, LA. Born: 3 September 1922, Etna, PA. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. CWO Novosel, 82d Medical Detachment, distinguished himself while serving as commander of a medical evacuation helicopter. He unhesitatingly maneuvered his helicopter into a heavily fortified and defended enemy training area where a group of wounded Vietnamese soldiers were pinned down by a large enemy force. Flying without gunship or other cover and exposed to intense machinegun fire, CWO Novosel was able to locate and rescue a wounded soldier. Since all communications with the beleaguered troops had been lost, he repeatedly circled the battle area, flying at low level under continuous heavy fire, to attract the attention of the scattered friendly troops. This display of courage visibly raised their morale, as they recognized this as a signal to assemble for evacuation. On 6 occasions he and his crew were forced out of the battle area by the intense enemy fire, only to circle and return from another direction to land and extract additional troops. Near the end of the mission, a wounded soldier was spotted close to an enemy bunker. Fully realizing that he would attract a hail of enemy fire, CWO Novosel nevertheless attempted the extraction by hovering the helicopter backward. As the man was pulled on aboard, enemy automatic weapons opened fire at close range, damaged the aircraft and wounded CWO Novosel. He momentarily lost control of the aircraft, but quickly recovered and departed under the withering enemy fire. In all, 15 extremely hazardous extractions were performed in order to remove wounded personnel. As a direct result of his selfless conduct, the lives of 29 soldiers were saved. The extraordinary heroism displayed by CWO Novosel was an inspiration to his comrades in arms and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army. Novosel was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 1975. When he retired as the senior warrant officer with the Warrant Officer Candidate Program in 1985, he had been a military aviator for 42 years and was the last World War II military aviator in the U.S. to remain on active flying duty. Novosel accumulated 12,400 military flying hours, including 2,038 in combat during his career. Upon his retirement, he received a rare honor for a living hero when the main street at Fort Rucker, AL was renamed "Novosel Street." He also received his final award, the Distinguished Service Medal during his retirement ceremony. While residing in Enterprise, AL, Novosel remained active in the military community during his retirement. He frequently was invited as the honored guest for military lectures and ceremonies spanning the entire country to share his unique insights, even until the final weeks before he died. He co-piloted the liftoff of the In the Shadow of the Blade mission in 2002. His book, Dustoff - The Memoir of an Army Aviator, was published in 1999. Diagnosed with a recurrent cancer in November 2005, he had undergone a series of highly successful treatments at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. The cancer tumor had been greatly reduced in December 2005 and January 2006. In February 2006, Novosel concluded chemotherapy and other treatments and waited to regain strength in preparation for surgery on 7 March. His prognosis appeared excellent. Despite new and innovative procedures to reduce trauma, he never fully recovered from the shock of the surgery. Medals and Awards Medal of Honor Army Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster Purple Heart Air Medal with Valor "V" & bronze numeral "25" Army Commendation Medal RVN Cross of Gallantry w/ Gold Star RVN Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st Class Army Master Aviator Wings Air Force Command Pilot Wings Note: CW4 Novosel was the first person to ever be awarded both Army Master Aviator Wings and Air Force Command Pilot Wings. Honors • Novosel was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 1975. • Upon his retirement, he received a rare honor for a living hero when the main street at Fort Rucker, AL was renamed "Novosel Street." • His book, Dustoff - The Memoir of an Army Aviator, was published in 1999. • He co-piloted the liftoff of the In the Shadow of the Blade mission in 2002.

Whats wrong with the name "Fort Rucker" ?

 

[RHINOWSO]

Whats wrong with the name "Fort Rucker" ?

Per the commies, it's 'bad' since it was named for a Civil War officer, Confederate General Edmund Rucker.

They are doing away with all of them. Benning, Bragg, Hood, Rucker, and others I'm sure.

 

[Raven]

Per the commies, it's 'bad' since it was named for a Civil War officer, Confederate General Edmund Rucker.

They are doing away with all of them. Benning, Bragg, Hood, Rucker, and others I'm sure.

Thanks for letting me know. As long as I live it will be Fort Rucker, Benning, Bragg and Hood

 

[Flounder Hounder]

Sorry this is in different size text.

I had the honor of spending a day with Col Mize the weekend of Memorial Day 2002 (If my memory is correct on the year) at Ft. Bragg. I met several people who had served with him in Vietnam and afterwards. Had he asked them, they would have stormed the gates of hell and I would have gone with them! He was very humble and unassuming, he treated me as if I was an old friend. After researching him and his career, I understand why his men would always follow him.
In his own words, "I am Custodian of my men's welfare".
THAT's a Leader right there!


Medal of Honor Citation:

Rank and organization: Master Sergeant (then Sgt.), U.S. Army, Company K, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near Surang-ni, Korea, 10 to 11 June 1953.

Entered service at: Gadsden, Ala. Born: 28 August 1931, Marshall County, Ala.

G.O. No.: 70, 24 September 1954.

Citation:

M/Sgt. Mize, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Company K was committed to the defense of “Outpost Harry”, a strategically valuable position, when the enemy launched a heavy attack. Learning that a comrade on a friendly listening post had been wounded he moved through the intense barrage, accompanied by a medical aid man, and rescued the wounded soldier.

On returning to the main position he established an effective defense system and inflicted heavy casualties against attacks from determined enemy assault forces which had penetrated into trenches within the outpost area. During his fearless actions he was blown down by artillery and grenade blasts 3 times but each time he dauntlessly returned to his position, tenaciously fighting and successfully repelling hostile attacks.


When enemy onslaughts ceased he took his few men and moved from bunker to bunker, firing through apertures and throwing grenades at the foe, neutralizing their positions. When an enemy soldier stepped out behind a comrade, prepared to fire, M/Sgt. Mize killed him, saving the life of his fellow soldier.


After rejoining the platoon, moving from man to man, distributing ammunition, and shouting words of encouragement he observed a friendly machine gun position overrun. He immediately fought his way to the position, killing 10 of the enemy and dispersing the remainder. Fighting back to the command post, and finding several friendly wounded there, he took a position to protect them. Later, securing a radio, he directed friendly artillery fire upon the attacking enemy’s routes of approach. At dawn he helped regroup for a counterattack which successfully drove the enemy from the outpost.


M/Sgt. Mize’s valorous conduct and unflinching courage reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service

The legend that was told of Mize was that when he took back the machine gun nest, he dispatched the last of the Chinese soldiers with an entrenching tool when his weapon ran out of ammunition. There was a bronzed “E-Tool” that would hang over his desk later in his career. He did tell the local (Gadsden, AL) newspaper that he went “combat crazy” during the pitched part of the engagement.


“I thought I’d bought the farm,” Col. Mize told VFW Magazine in an interview. “I just knew I was going to die. I knew it. I accepted it. All I wanted to do was take as many of them with me as I could.”


He and the remaining Americans convinced the Chinese that there were many more Americans left on the hill but throwing grenades and shooting from one position and then leaping into other holes and firing from there.
At one point, as an enemy soldier stepped behind an American and prepared to fire, Sergeant Mize killed him. At dawn, he helped regroup for a counterattack that drove the enemy away. He was personally credited with killing 65 of the enemy. In fact, it could have easily been much more. Of the 56 men on Outpost Harry, only eight survived.


He was recommended for the Medal of Honor but initially asked that his name be withdrawn saying the honor should go to the troops that died defending it.

 

[Flounder Hounder]

Sorry the picture at the bottom is not him.

 

[fl57caveman]

Whats wrong with the name "Fort Rucker" ?

it will cost millions to replace all of the signs across the nation, and the millions spent on removing statues everywhere, yeah, we got the money for that... priorities..



squirrell!! look over here....

 

[Raven]

it will cost millions to replace all of the signs across the nation, and the millions spent on removing statues everywhere, yeah, we got the money for that... priorities..



squirrell!! look over here....

It'll be billed as an economic stimulus for the US... except that in reality 40 cents of every federal reserve private bank dollar is borrowed from China... it will only serve to strengthen our enemy

 

[TK5o]

it will cost millions to replace all of the signs across the nation, and the millions spent on removing statues everywhere, yeah, we got the money for that... priorities..



squirrell!! look over here....

They have already stated at least $65 million for this diversity project

 

[Raven]

They have already stated at least $65 million for this diversity project

If "they" in DC want it so bad then I say make those multi billionaires pay for it all by themselves. Leave my money out of it. "They" don't represent the common man anymore anyways

 

[fl57caveman]

go Marines...

double recipient of the highest award

LOUIS CUKELA​

DETAILS

• RANK: SERGEANT (HIGHEST RANK: MAJOR)
• CONFLICT/ERA: WORLD WAR I
• UNIT/COMMAND:
  66TH RIFLE COMPANY, 5TH REGIMENT,
  2D DIVISION
• MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. MARINE CORPS
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: JULY 18, 1918
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: NEAR VILLERS-COTTERETS, FRANCE

CITATION
[Received both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor for the same deed.]
Army Medal of Honor: When his company, advancing through a wood, met with strong resistance from an enemy strong point, Sgt. Cukela crawled out from the flank and made his way toward the German lines in the face of heavy fire, disregarding the warnings of his comrades. He succeeded in getting behind the enemy position and rushed a machine-gun emplacement, killing or driving off the crew with his bayonet. With German hand grenades he then bombed out the remaining portion of the strong point, capturing four men and two damaged machine guns. Navy Medal of Honor For extraordinary heroism while serving with the 66th Company, 5th Regiment, during action in the Forest de Retz, near Viller-Cottertes, France, 18 July 1918. Sgt. Cukela advanced alone against an enemy strong point that was holding up his line. Disregarding the warnings of his comrades, he crawled out from the flank in the face of heavy fire and worked his way to the rear of the enemy position. Rushing a machine-gun emplacement, he killed or drove off the crew with his bayonet, bombed out the remaining part of the strong point with German hand grenades, and captured two machine guns and four men.

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT LOUIS CUKELA

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• ACCREDITED TO: MINNEAPOLIS, HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
• AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY: NO
• PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: MARCH 15, 1919
  BY GENERAL JOHN J. PERSHING AT COBLENZ, GERMANY.
• BORN: MAY 1, 1888, SPALATO, YUGOSLAVIA
• DIED: MARCH 19, 1956, BETHESDA, MD, UNITED STATES
• BURIED: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY (1-427-A), ARLINGTON, VA, UNITED STATES

 

[fl57caveman]

World War I - U.S. Marine Corps​

JOHN HENRY PRUITT​

DETAILS

• RANK: CORPORAL
• CONFLICT/ERA: WORLD WAR I
• UNIT/COMMAND:
  78TH COMPANY, 6TH REGIMENT,
  2D DIVISION
• MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. MARINE CORPS
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: OCTOBER 3, 1918
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: BLANC MONT RIDGE, FRANCE

CITATION
[Received both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor for the same deed.]
Army Medal of Honor: Cpl. Pruitt singlehandedly attacked two machine guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterwards by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy. Navy Medal of Honor For extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Cpl. Pruitt, singlehandedly attacked two machine guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy.

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT JOHN H. PRUITT

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• ACCREDITED TO: PHOENIX, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA
• AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY: YES
• PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: NOVEMBER 11, 1920
• BORN: OCTOBER 4, 1896, FAYETTEVILLE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, AR, UNITED STATES
• DIED: OCTOBER 4, 1918, FRANCE
• BURIED: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY (MH) (18-2453), ARLINGTON, VA, UNITED STATES
• LOCATION OF MEDAL: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE US MARINE CORPS, QUANTICO, VA

 

[fl57caveman]

 

[Raven]

World War I - U.S. Marine Corps​

JOHN HENRY PRUITT​

DETAILS

• RANK: CORPORAL
• CONFLICT/ERA: WORLD WAR I
• UNIT/COMMAND:
  78TH COMPANY, 6TH REGIMENT,
  2D DIVISION
• MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. MARINE CORPS
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: OCTOBER 3, 1918
• MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: BLANC MONT RIDGE, FRANCE

CITATION
[Received both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor for the same deed.]
Army Medal of Honor: Cpl. Pruitt singlehandedly attacked two machine guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterwards by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy. Navy Medal of Honor For extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Cpl. Pruitt, singlehandedly attacked two machine guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy.

MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT JOHN H. PRUITT

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• ACCREDITED TO: PHOENIX, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA
• AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY: YES
• PRESENTATION DATE & DETAILS: NOVEMBER 11, 1920
• BORN: OCTOBER 4, 1896, FAYETTEVILLE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, AR, UNITED STATES
• DIED: OCTOBER 4, 1918, FRANCE
• BURIED: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY (MH) (18-2453), ARLINGTON, VA, UNITED STATES
• LOCATION OF MEDAL: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE US MARINE CORPS, QUANTICO, VA

Oorah Semper Fi see you on the other side Marine

 

[Raven]

Shoot, Move, Communicate!
Movement is life.
Stay motivated