Louis A. Novak
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Louis A. Novak served in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Forces from February 2, 1944, until December 7, 1946. He enlisted one month after turning age seventeen.
Mr. Novak graduated from Chisholm High School on June 5, 1944, and the following day he entered the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTRP) for pilot/navigator/bombardier preflight training at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The program was discontinued owing to a surplus of pilots, so Mr. Novak was transferred to Kessler Field in Biloxi, Mississippi, to attend aircraft maintenance school. That school also closed, and he moved to Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin, for radio gunnery school. That school closed as well, and Mr. Novak was sent to the European Theater on December 30, 1945.
In Europe, Mr. Novak was assigned to the 32nd Stat Control Unit, United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF), Wiesbaden, Germany. He was an IBM Specialist MOS400. He left Europe on October 30, 1946, and was discharged on December 7, 1946. His rank was Corporal.
In 1954, Mr. Novak joined the Minnesota Air National Guard's 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. He won numerous awards and was selected to serve on the first Senior Advisory Counsel. He served as the squadron public relations photographer, in aircraft maintenance as crew chief, and in maintenance control. He retired from the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, Minnesota as Master Sergeant in 1974.
Mr. Novak was born in 1927 in Chisholm, Minnesota, the son of Louis, Sr., and Rose Novak.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall Veteran History Form; veteran's account (see below)
WWII European Theater 1944-1946
- Enlisted in the US Army Air Corps on February 2, 1944, one month after turning 17 years old.
- Graduated from Chisholm High School on June 5, 1944, and entered the ASTRP for pilot/navigator/bombardier preflight training at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on “D” Day, June 6, 1944. The program was discontinued due to a surplus of pilots.
- Transferred to Kessler Field, Biloxi, Mississippi, for Aircraft Maintenance school.
- When that school was closed, was transferred to Truax Field, Madison, Wisconsin, for Radio Gunnery school. After that school was closed, was transferred to European Theater on December 30, 1945.
- Assigned to the 32nd Stat Control Unit, USSTAF Air Force Headquarter in Wiesbaden, Germany, as an IBM Specialist MOS400.
- Left the European Theater on October 30, 1946. - Honorably discharged as a Corporal, December 7, 1946. Minnesota Air National Guard 1954-1974
- Joined the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in 1954.
- Won numerous awards and selected for the first Senior Advisory Counsel.
- Served as Squadron Photographer in Public Relations, Aircraft Maintenance as Crew Chief and Maintenance Control.
- Retired in 1974 as Master Sergeant from the 148th Fighter Wing.
