Customer Reviews

Dustoff: The Memoir of an Army Aviator

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"Flying" has been described as "a period of continual euphoria interrupted by moments of sheer terror". "DUSTOFF flying" would approach the antithesis.

This book vividly captures the intrinsic unconventionality of "DUSTOFF helicopter flying" in a masterful and dazzling detail that I'd not yet read, describing mission after "hairy" mission to extract casualties from the battlefield, simply in essence, the DUSTOFF mission.

It takes the reader along as it highlights the continual struggles, weariness and adversity encountered by DUSTOFF units and crews as they struggled to meet ever increasing demands on their aviation resources as well as those physical and mental inflicted by the enemy. It also frankly and and factually highlights struggles encountered on another front, sadly and incomprehensibly, that eminating from a higher headquarters which operated from within a "state-side" environment, generating the all too voluminous "state-side" reports, ceremonies, VIP accords, et al, and command inspections, cavalierly administered inconsiderate of the relentless demands on the DUSTOFF units and crews in the midst of battle, somewhat akin to what might be equated to a scenario wherin Inspector General (IG) inspectors await on the shores of Normandy to administer their "unannounced".

The Vietnam related pages offer galvinizing excitement to a book that is equally exciting in a vein of the life of on old aviator war horse, truly a captivating journey of an aviator exraordinaire from the cockpits of WWII Army Air Corps B-24's, B-29's, B-17's, in the skies over Korea, flying the "Sneaky Petes" in the Dominican Republic, an airline pilot, two tours in Vietnam to flying the "Golden Eagles" parachute team.

Touchingly intertwined throughout is the life of an old aviator war horse's dedication to family, an extraordinary wife who was obviously his "wind beneath my wings" and great kids, one of whom eventually came to join him in Vietnam combat.

I am currently serving my country as a crew chief in the U.S. army. I read Mr. Novosels book because he a legend. There is not a person that is in Army Aviation today that has not heard of Mr. Novosel. This is why I read his book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was like reading his own personal journal or diary. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Novosel a few years ago and felt honored when he shook my hand. The word hero and Novosel go hand in hand. This past summer I read Tom Brokaw's "Then next Generation" and Novosel is the epitamy of what Mr. Brokaw wrote in his book. Typical of the "Next Generation" Novosel in no way takes all the credit for all his heroic efforts in his 2 tours of vietnam. He acknowledges the "bit players" because they helped him save over 5000 lives. I'm kinda upset after reading the review from the guy from Washington state. I have no idea where he is coming from with his comments. He obviously bought the wrong book, but to blame Mr. Novosel an American hero is preposterous to me... Granted, he is no W.E.B. Griffin but who besides the man himself is?

This book is a memoir from Mike's perspective and probably penned by his hand in lieu of a ghost writer--for which he is to be commended. Mike earned the awards and recognition he received and probably some more that were lost in the bowels of an inefficent administrative system present in Vietnam. I was in the 45th Med Co (AA) during the same time frame as Mike was in the 82d (HA). My only reservation in having read his book is the repeated inferences of the marginal flying skills of his fellow aviators. An aviation unit was comprised of aviators with a varying number of flight hours and combat experience. I knew many of the people referenced in the book and felt their contributions and capabilities as fellow Dustoff pilots were understated. The pilot's of the 45th Med Co (AA) seemed to be held in low esteem by Mike which is unfortunate in that our crews logged as much flight time as his folks did and our killed in action ratio was higher. At the same time, I thought he did an excellent job in not denegrating the leadership of the 45th Med Co (AA) any further than he did especially since leadership in that company at the time was sorely lacking. Mike's book tells how it was to fly combat mission as a Dustoff pilot during that era and his insights are appreciated. I have shared this book with my young adult children so they might better understand that period of time. If there was a little less of I'm better than you conveyed in the book (obviously my interpretation), this would have been a five star rating. Buy the book, you will enjoy it.

CW4 Michael Joseph Novosel provides one of a very few personnal narratives authored by Medal Of Honor recipient. Ken Burns in his PBS television series on the Civil War was sad reporting so few narratives survive from 1865. We have one now from 1966-70. I read parts and had to hold back the tears, rage and smiles: I was there in different units. It is truthfull: DUSTOFF those medevac helicopter men were as such: never forgiving of human failings: the wounded came first. But Mike recalls the "men in the back" of the helicopter: the Crewchief and medic. Yes, I do recall the first time I gave CPR - "mouth-to- mouth" to a Black soldier. Mister Novosel has provided the Army and the American people with a valid account of what it was like to fly DUSTOFF. That he served with his son and was a WWII veteran are beyond description: he joins the courage from all wars into one "family" story.

I was the technical advisor for A&E's "Combat Medicine" episode with George C. Scott and for China Beach on many episodes....I also carried an aidbag on my back.....this book: is not a biography but a personal, inner view my one of very few true American soldiers...held above and beyond all others.........

Cherish the book!

Joe "Doc" Kralich Vietnam 1969-72

PS

Aviators and crews will like it more as it deals with High and The Mighty pilot.......this time the pilot is what we want flying our airplane or helicopter....

Michael Novosel's resume is impressive -- the Congressional Medal of Honor and a military career spanning four decades, plus side ventures as a restaurateur and airline pilot. All this in spite of being the son of immigrants, suffering from glaucoma, and never quite reaching the 5' 4" minimum height requirement for an Army aviator. (And in spite of a military bureaucracy which was as capricious as ususal.) *Dustoff* is his memoir, clearly written in his own way, and that's part of what makes it such a great story. About the only disappointment is that Novosel passes over the story of how he switched from fixed-wing to rotary-wing. But his tales of teaching his son the art of autorotation or learning how to drive Jeep (after being made the base commander) are unforgettable. All told in a very droll understated way, including the harrowing mission that won him the Medal of Honor. Not to be missed, *Dustoff* is real antidote to the era of reality TV. No one ever told Michael Novosel "go get a life".

This well written book is the story of an Army Aviator who won the Medal of Honor flying Dustoff--medical evacuation--helicopters in Vietnam. His details are gripping, and paint a vivid picture for all who wonder what these lifesaving missions were like.

I know Mike Novosel, and this book is HIS story. Mike wrote every word of this book. This is a rare event in today,s world of ghost writers who never quite are able to capture the spirit of their subject.

Mike is a little guy (without a Napoleon complex) who served his nation during three wars. His story from World War II to his retirement in 1985, when he was the last pilot on active duty from WWII, is well known to thousands of Air Force and Army aviators who know him as the "Dean of Dustoff Pilots." It may not be the smooth, commercial product of books such as Tom Clancy's recent Every Man a Tiger starrring General Chuck Horner, but there are many lessons for everyone who has to overcome challenges. Mike Novosel is like the little engine who could...and he did! To the reviewer from Seattle, Mike did not use one government form, it all came from his heart. Send the book to me(see my email) and I will gladly buy it because there will be dozens of people who will truly appreciate Mike's efforts.

Mr. Novosel isn't a professional writer. Therefore, his book doesn't read like some Hollywood glamour novel. However, his book is one of the best accounts of a real soldier doing his job. After meeting Mr. Novosel, I realized that his book reads almost as if he is there recalling the experiences to you personally. I was captivated from the first page, finding it difficult to find a stopping point (okay, I'll read just one more chapter). For anyone interested in military related books, medevac crews or a great memoir, this is a must-read. Well worth a hard cover for your collection.

I picked this book up on a sale rack while waiting for a flight. After sitting down with it, I put it down for a total of maybe 5 minutes from cover to cover, and that was out of sheer necessity.

For having led such an amazing life, the author has such an easy, flowing writing style that you get the impression he were relaying the entire account over a few beers at some smoky enlisted club. Even more striking is the level of modesty with which Novosel recalls his time, a rarity in the military as anyone who's been in knows! Thankfully missing is melodrama and hollywood, which leaves the real excitement to stand for itself.

All in all a fantastic read. You don't meet people like this guy every day (if ever!). I can't recommend this book enough.

I think the book was a real eye opener for me. I was just a little girl when the war was on. I remember watching the news every nite with Waltor Cronkite. Allways watching the helicopters that were shot down wondering if that was my father or my brother. I think that it was an unusually different circumstance that they flew together, being that they were father & son.They do not make men like they used to. I enjoyed the book and I could not put it down. Thank-you Dad, for sharing your life with us on the printed page. My Dad and brother were not just father & son but they were conrads in the war.....I am waiting for the next book. JeanneeV