Fort Novosel Army Base Guide

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Fort Rucker became Fort Novosel during the redesignation ceremony April 10 in honor of CW4 Michael J. Novosel Sr. Photo by Jim Hughes
Fort Rucker became Fort Novosel during the redesignation ceremony April 10 in honor of CW4 Michael J. Novosel Sr. Photo by Jim Hughes

Fort Novosel, formerly known as Fort Rucker, was a product of World War II. During World War II, America conducted a manpower mobilization unprecedented in its history in terms of total numbers. The United States put into uniform over 16 million men and approximately 333,000 women. This mobilization called for the creation of new training camps and military bases, including then-Camp Rucker, named in honor of Confederate Army Colonel Edmund W. Rucker. The base was redesignated Fort Novosel in 2023 as part of an effort to scrub names honoring Confederate troops. The name was selected in honor of CW4 Michael J. Novosel Sr., a Medal of Honor recipient whose extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War saved the lives of 29 men.