[George P. Novotny oral history interview]

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Identifier2002-02-13-1139_AV_135SourceThe American Fighter Aces Association Oral Interviews (2002-02-13-1139)CreatorAmerican Fighter Aces AssociationIntervieweeNovotny, George P.DescriptionAudio recording of an oral history with fighter ace George P. Novotny, circa 1980s-1990s.

Text on label: "George Novotny."AbstractFighter ace George P. Novotny discusses his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He describes his experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time in the Mediterranean Theater with the 325th Fighter Group. Topics discussed include his training and service history, notable missions and aerial victories, and military life in North Africa.

The audio has brief moments of distortion throughout the recording.BiographyGeorge P. Novotny was born on February 22, 1920 in Toledo, Ohio. He joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1942 and graduated from flight training the following year. After a stateside assignment with the 54th Fighter Group, Novotny was deployed to North Africa, where he joined the 317th Fighter Squadron of the 325th Fighter Group. During his combat tour, he flew missions over Italy, Bulgaria, and other areas of the Mediterranean Theater and became a member of the 325th’s “Fearsome Foursome.” He also participated in an escort mission for President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s aircraft when it was en route to the Tehran Conference. After the end of his combat tour, Novotny served at Oscoda Army Air Base (Michigan) as a flight instructor, teaching Free French Air Force pilots how to fly the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. He left the military after World War II and embarked on a career with Capital Airlines and Trans World Airlines (TWA). Novotny retired in 1982 and passed away in 2018.Creation Datecirca 1980s-1990sSubjectAces (Fighter pilots)Air pilots, MilitaryCurtiss P-40 Warhawk FamilyFighter pilotsNovotny, George P.Republic P-47 (F-47) Thunderbolt FamilyUnited States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 325thUnited States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Group, 54thUnited States. Army Air Forces. Fighter Squadron, 317thUnited States. Army. Air CorpsWorld War, 1939-1945PlaceAfrica, NorthAlgeriaItalyMoroccoTunisiaExtent1 sound cassette (1 hr., 12 min., 57 sec.) : analog ; 4 x 2.5 inOriginal Formatoral histories (literary works)audiocassettesBibliographic CitationThe American Fighter Aces Association Materials/The Museum of FlightRightsIn copyrightTranscription[George P. Novotny oral history interview]

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Collection AreaArchivesOral Histories[George P. Novotny oral history interview]OrganizationTrans World Airlines

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[George P. Novotny oral history interview]