MANDELKE THOMAS ALBERT

CW2 Thomas "Tom" Albert Mandelke was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 04/15/1998 at the age of 51.5 from Melanoma
San Ramon, CA
Flight Classes 68-11 and 68-15
Date of Birth 09/27/1946
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with ACT/11 ACR in 68-69
Call sign in Vietnam WHITE 12
This information was provided by Gil Ferrey

More detail on this person: Thomas Albert Mandelke, 51 LOCAL DEATHS San Ramon Valley Times (CA) - Friday, April 17, 1998 Sept. 27, 1946 April 15, 1998 Thomas Mandelke, a policeman with the San Francisco Police Department, died of cancer Wednesday at home in San Ramon. He was 51. A native of Renton, Wash., he graduated from Banning High School in 1964. He attended St. Martin's College in Lacy, Wash., and received his associate degree from Mt. San Jacinto College. He was an Army chief warrant officer who flew helicopters in Vietnam with the 11th Armored Cavalry. He received the D.F.C. Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and numerous other military decorations. An original member of the San Francisco Police Helicopter Unit, he also served with Southern Police Station in San Francisco for 25 years. He received a number of commendations over the years, including the Silver Medal of Valor in 1979 and awards from Mayor Willie Brown and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He produced a film, "Playing it Safe," to teach high school seniors to be street smart and proposed a bike safety program that will be dedicated in his memory in August. He enjoyed fishing, gold panning, and was an award-winning beer maker. He is survived by his wife, Cherel Mandelke of San Ramon; parents Edward and Alice Mandelke of Banning; son, Christopher Mandelke of Walnut Creek; daughter Lisa Mandelke of Castro Valley; brother, Timothy Mandelke of Milpitas; sisters, Margaret Tucci of Temecula and Irene Lyman of Cabazon; and four grandchildren. Services: Memorial Mass, 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Raymond's Catholic Church, Dublin. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today, with the vigil at 6 p.m., at Graham-Hitch Mortuary, Pleasanton. Burial will be private.

This information was last updated 06/18/2019

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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