MATEYKO JOHN R

LTC John R. Mateyko, LtC was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/27/2023 at the age of 83.1
Lansing, IL
Flight Class 65-7
Date of Birth 09/18/1940
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/501 AVN in 65-66
Call sign in Vietnam RATTLER 21
This information was provided by Obit

More detail on this person: John R. Mateyko, age 83 of Lansing, IL, formerly of Cincinnati, OH, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Janet Mateyko; children: Cay Stout, Carin Mateyko, and Marc Mateyko; two grandchildren: Jackson and Jamie Stout; and sister: Marlene Varnum. John was preceded in death by his parents: Robert and Margaret Mateyko and brother, Richard Mateyko. John graduated from Thornton Fractional High School in 1958. He attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy for two years, transferred to Indiana University and graduated in 1963. He entered the US Army as a Private and completed Basic Training at Ft. Knox. He graduated from Ft. Sill Officer Candidate School in March, 1964 and completed flight school (Rotary Wing) at Ft. Rucker, Alabama in June 1965. John flew in Vietnam with Co. A, 501st Aviation Battalion (Rattlers) from August, 1965 through August, 1966. He then served with the 205th Aviation Battalion as a test pilot in Germany until his release from active duty in June, 1968 as a Captain. John was a member of the VFW, DAV, MOAA, MOPH (Purple Heart). He was an avid model railroader. He will be laid to rest at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. Please omit flowers. In John's honor, please make memorial donations in his name to Tunnel to Towers Foundation www.tunnel2towers.org. Their address is Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Haylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306. Since 9/11, this organization has been helping America's heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. They are also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness. This organization has received an A+ rating with Charity Watch.

This information was last updated 10/07/2025

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Date posted on this site: 02/07/2026