More detail on this person: University of Puget
Sound professor Michael P. Madden, 41, died
Monday of cancer at Group Health's Tacoma
hospital.
Madden was a Tacoma resident who was born in
Everett. He was a highly decorated Vietnam War
veteran. Although he was exposed to Agent Orange
while in Vietnam. it was unclear whether tbe
chemical caused his cancer, said his father, Bill
Madden.
The UPS professor was among three collaborators
on a still unfinished book which examines the
shared experiences of Vietnam veterans and
veterans of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Tbe book is called "Parallels: The Soldiers'
Knowledge and the Oral History of Contemporary
Warfare." Madden co-edited it with his wife. A.
Susan Owen, and Tim Hansen.
"His book was important. He thought it would
influence young people in the future," said his
father.
At UPS, where Madden had taught about two
years, he was a professor of communication and
theater arts.
In Vietnam. where he served in 1969 and 1970,
Madden was an aircraft commander in the U.S.
Army Aviation Corps and flew more than 270
missions in a Huey Cobra attack helicopter.
"They lIew cover for helicopters that sprayed
Agent Orange. When he came back his aircraft
would be covered with droplets (of the chemical)
that had been in the air," said his father.
His helicopter was shot down on April 28, 1970 and
Madden was wounded.
He was awarded the Bronze Star. two Distinguished
Flying Crosses, two Purple Hearts and 12 Air
Medals for Valor.
Madden was a graduate of Washington State
University, where he received both bachelor's and
master's degrees. He earned another master's and
a doctorate, in December 1988, from the University
of Iowa.
Last spring, he belped organize a forum of Vietnam
War veterans and Soviet veterans of the
Afghanistan invasion. He also contributed to the
Northwest Post-Traumatic Stress Treatment
Program at American Lake Veterans Hospital.
He is survived by his wife; his parents, Bill and
Shirley Madden of Federal Way; his grandfather,
William Fitpold of Phoenix; and three brothers,
Patrick of Tacoma, and Timothy and Thomas, both
of Federal Way.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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