Captain Frederick “Ken” M. Maddock II was born on 18 August 1959 in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated in 1977 from Austin High School in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. He was a member of the National Honor Society and he lettered in track and swimming. He applied his early leadership skills to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 16. On 6 July 1977, CPT Maddock began his quest as a member of the Long Gray Line and entered the United States Military Academy. CPT Maddock excelled in physical fitness, academics, cadet leadership; every activity he participated in. He was commissioned in May 1981 as an Armor Officer and attended the Armor Officer Basic Course. He graduated the course with the physical fitness award and the title of Distinguished Honor Graduate. He then attended the Junior Officer Motor Course before being assigned as a Tank Platoon Leader in Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 72nd Armor, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea. While in Korea, CPT Maddock decided he wanted to be a helicopter pilot.

CPT Maddock again showed his ability to learn quickly as he mastered the skills of flying in the Officer Rotary Wing Aviation Course and the Aeroscout Course. He completed the course as an honor graduate and left Fort Rucker, Alabama, in February 1984 to be assigned as an Aeroscout Platoon Leader in Bravo Company, 2nd Combat Aviation Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea. He attended the Aviation Officer Advanced Course after completing this second tour in Korea and, as could be expected, graduated at the top of his class as the Distinguished Honor Graduate.

Even though CPT Maddock had not been flying his entire career, he had the credentials to be accepted for an assignment with the elite Task Force 160 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was assigned as a Platoon Commander in the Alpha Company “Little Birds.” His task was to maintain a highly proficient, combat ready assault helicopter platoon. He met every challenge, rose to every occasion, and accomplished every task flawlessly. CPT Maddock excelled as a Night Stalker from the moment he drove through the main gate at Fort Campbell. He will best be remembered for his willingness to accept any responsibility, no matter how difficult.

CPT Maddock's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (w/2 OLC) and the Army Achievement Medal. He was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.

CPT Maddock died on 27 April 1987 when his OH-6 Little Bird helicopter crashed 25 miles off the coast of Huntington Beach, California. He had just completed special night flight training and was preparing to head back to Long Beach. He was unable to escape from the helicopter after it crashed; the rescue mission failed to recover the OH-6 or his remains.

CPT Maddock is survived by his mother and stepfather, Dee and Eugene; his brother Harry; his sister, Julie; three stepbrothers; and four stepsisters. There is a memorial gravestone marker at Arlington National Cemetery, Section MI, Site 288.