Posted on Aug 1, 2018
Which United States Army Soldier Has Inspired You The Most?
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My hero is CW4 Michael J. Novosel, Sr who served in the United States military in three wars: World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He flew the B-29 Superfortress bomber in World War II. In order to serve in the Vietnam War, he gave up the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve to become a chief warrant officer in the US Army. For his bravery in conducting a medical evacuation under fire in this conflict, he was awarded the United States' highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. http://www.novoselfoundation.org/history/history.html
PHOTO OF YOUNG MIKE NOVOSEL AS A WWII B-29 PILOT
PHOTO OF YOUNG MIKE NOVOSEL AS A WWII B-29 PILOT
Posted in these groups: 
Aviation
Aviator
155A: Fixed Wing Aviator (Aircraft Nonspecific)
Medevac Pilot
Aviation Aviator 155A: Fixed Wing Aviator (Aircraft Nonspecific) Medevac Pilot
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Posted >1 y ago
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Master Sergeant Raul Perez "Roy" Benavidez (August 5, 1935 – November 29, 1998) was a member of the United States Army Special Forces (Studies and Observations Group) and retired United States Army Master Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for his valorous actions in combat near Lộc Ninh, South Vietnam on May 2, 1968.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
Lt Col Charlie Brown yeah, Dunham was actually a Marine but I had to put him on the list because he was my initial inspiration for enlisting.
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No B.S.-SGT Vernon Dale Gillespie, a 1950s-era, 8th Infantry Division, 505th, Airborne...old school boot polishing, trouser blousin', OD green wearing Paratrooper and "Cold Warrior"...fine artist...and my Dad.
When I was a kid, Dad didn't talk much about the Army; he'd got out right before Vietnam got "hot", and would later tell me how much he regretted not "being there" with some of his friends who didn't make it back. He did tell me about sitting on the runway waiting to lift during the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tour in the Middle East he gave very few details about...and earning his jump wings. I used to look at that old beret and think what an unmitigated BA my father must have been.
I chose to depart with family tradition and become a Squid...but I have jumped once, "for Dad".
Later on, I was privileged to serve in Afghanistan at a firebase manned by the 82nd (I think the 2-508th, but can't recall for certain). I befriended one of their officers, and ended up heading out on a few operations as gunner. One night, after pulling my shift...I had just bagged out under the vehicle when I heard one of the NCOs ask my friend, "How's the Navy doing?" He responded, "Ah, he's alright...his pop was Airborne"...might have been one of the proudest moments of my military career.
When I was a kid, Dad didn't talk much about the Army; he'd got out right before Vietnam got "hot", and would later tell me how much he regretted not "being there" with some of his friends who didn't make it back. He did tell me about sitting on the runway waiting to lift during the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tour in the Middle East he gave very few details about...and earning his jump wings. I used to look at that old beret and think what an unmitigated BA my father must have been.
I chose to depart with family tradition and become a Squid...but I have jumped once, "for Dad".
Later on, I was privileged to serve in Afghanistan at a firebase manned by the 82nd (I think the 2-508th, but can't recall for certain). I befriended one of their officers, and ended up heading out on a few operations as gunner. One night, after pulling my shift...I had just bagged out under the vehicle when I heard one of the NCOs ask my friend, "How's the Navy doing?" He responded, "Ah, he's alright...his pop was Airborne"...might have been one of the proudest moments of my military career.
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SGT (Join to see)
Your story was a great one, it was good to hear about your father, my father too was Navy and retired, a submariner and Sea Bee, a veteran of WWII, also my grandfather, retired Navy and a veteran of WWI. Salute!
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My older brother SPC Howard Blas, who advised me to go Airborne.
* 82nd ABN Inf. - Operation Power Pack 1965, Dominican Republic
* 101st ABN Inf. - Vietnam 1965/1966
* 82nd ABN Inf. - Operation Power Pack 1965, Dominican Republic
* 101st ABN Inf. - Vietnam 1965/1966
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