Six Vietnam War Era Veterans Honored

Six Vietnam War Era Veterans were honored at the November meeting of the Martha Dandridge Washington (MDW) Chapter, National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

Certificates and pins were presented to the following: Daniel Eual Berney, US Air Force; Paul Fredrick Haynes, US Navy Reserve (received by Janet Guyett); Robert M. Jessee, US Army; Lloyd Edward Reece, US Army (received by Karen McFarland); Kathleen Gay Van Orsdel, US Air Force; and Donald Van Orsdel, US Air Force (received by Kathleen Gay Van Orsdel).

John J. “Stoney” Saathof, US Marine Corps, received his certificate and pin at an earlier date. Six additional veterans will be presented with theirs at a future date. They include: US Army: Bryon A. Kinney, James “Luke” Morgan, Crawford F. Overton III, and Michael Stallings.; and US Navy: John Collier Hayes and Ronald W. Mebust.

First Vice Regent Janet Guyett welcomed the honored guests, visitors, and chapter members to the annual event which took place in the Jefferson County Public Library classroom.

Regent Jane Chambers shared a fascinating account of the service of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Novosel, one of the stories recounted from September 26-October 2 “This Week in History” on the Vietnam War Commemoration website. Born in Etna, PA, to Austro-Hungarian immigrant parents in 1922, Novosel joined the US Army Air Corps ten months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He desired to become a pilot but found that he was shorter than the required 5’4”. He measured just 5’3 and 7/8”. After approaching recruiters at several offices, he found one that was willing to ignore the troublesome 1/8” and let him enlist.

After Novosel received his wings in 1942, he served during World War II as a training pilot. In that capacity, he flew B-24s for Aerial-Gunner trainees out of Loredo, TX. Because he did not meet the 5’8” minimal height to pilot the B-24 Liberator Bombers, he placed a small pillow behind his back so that he could reach the foot pedals.

In 1944, Novosel qualified to fly the B-29 Superfortress and was deployed to the Pacific where he flew combat missions.

After World War II, Novosel married and started a family. When the Korean War began, he served again flying transport aircraft. Following that war, he flew commercial planes in civilian life.

Novosel’s most heroic deeds came about during his third wartime experience in Vietnam. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and at the age of 42, Novosel felt the call to active service again. He gave up his rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force and became a Chief Warrant Officer in the US Army. At the age of 43, the husband and father of four was sent to Vietnam as a medical evacuation pilot.

Novosel served two tours in Vietnam. On October 2, 1969, he and his crew rescued South Vietnamese soldiers who were pinned down by North Vietnamese guns. Novosel flew the helicopter into the fray repeatedly until they had saved all 29. On the last pickup, he was hit in the knee by a bullet which ricocheted causing metal fragments to hit his stick hand. After nearly crashing, he regained control of the helicopter and finished the successful mission.

On his second tour in Vietnam, his 19-year-old son Michael J. Novosel, Jr., arrived to fly a Medevac helicopter in the same unit as his dad. In March 1970, Mike Jr.’s helicopter made a crash landing, and Mike Sr. flew the rescue mission. In an amazing turn of events, Mike Sr.’s helicopter was disabled, and it was his son who flew the mission to rescue his father and crew.

Among the medals Novosel earned were the Medal of Honor for the October 2, 1969, rescue mission, three Distinguished Flying Cross medals, and three Bronze Star medals. When he retired in 1985, he was the last World War II pilot on active duty. He died of cancer in 2006 at age 83 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery not far from the Tomb of the Unknown.

Following that amazing account, Corresponding Secretary Jane Busdeker read the poem “The Noble and the Brave: A Veteran’s Day Tribute” by Joanna Fuchs, and Specialist Becky Bolin-Anderson, a Vietnam Era Veteran, lit the Patriot’s candle in honor of our Revolutionary War Patriots and the Hope Candle in honor of all veterans who are missing. The Hope Candle represents everlasting hope of a reunion.

After the poem, DAR Service for Veterans Chairman Carolyn Mitchell presented the veterans and their representatives in attendance with their certificates and pins. The Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin is awarded to living veterans who served during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, without regard to location of service. The eagle on the front of the pin represents “courage, honor, and dedicated service” to the United State of America. The blue circle “signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.” The laurel wreath represents “victory, integrity, and strength,” and the stripes behind the eagle “represent the American flag.” Six stars stand for the “six allies who served, sacrificed, and fought alongside one another: Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and the United States.” On the back of the pin, the words “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You” along with “USA Vietnam War Commemoration.”

First Vice Regent Guyett shared words of appreciation, and Constitution Week Chairman Glenda Roach offered the closing prayer.

For information about the DAR, contact Registrar Karen McFarland at (865) 258-8670 or Regent Jane Chambers at (865) 591-3857.

Vietnam War Era Veterans were honored with certificates and lapel pins. Those present were Karen McFarland representing Lloyd Reece, Kathleen Gay Van Orsdel representing herself and Donald Van Orsdel, Robert Jessee, Daniel Berney, and Janet Guyett representing Paul Haynes.

Parliamentarian Ellie Betts presented the floral arrangement to Kathleen Van Orsdel in gratitude for her countless hours and personal resources dedicated to Quilts of Valor.