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: 01/11/2025
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