Paul Francis Mandrgoc died Saturday, March 28, 2009, at the Convalescent Care Center in Lompoc, CA. He was born on June 12, 1923, in Johnstown, PA, the son of Thomas and Mary (Lucac) Mandrgoc, who were both born in Croatia. Paul was educated in Catholic schools in Johnstown, PA, and enlisted in the Navy in April 1942.

After fleet radio school and Aviation Radio School, he was transferred to VP23 squadron of "Black Cats," Catalina PBY, and flew anti-sub patrol, bombing and rescue missions in the South Pacific. He and crew members received Air Medals for sinking an enemy submarine. He was twice shot down, once in a life for 36 hours and once for 16 days. After two terms in the Pacific as radioman/gunner, he flew test flights at Seattle, was assigned to Operational Flight Trainer School, and Officer of Naval Research, transferred to Hawaii to install the first operational flight trainer (simulator), and to Newport, RI, to install the Ship Maneuvering Tactics Trainer.

After short tours to Corpus Christi, TX, and Jacksonville, FL, in maintenance of Operational Flight Trainers, he was an instructor in Electronics B & C Schools at Memphis, TN, during which time he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. At Point Mugu, CA, he flew as the admiral's radioman and retired from the Navy on December 11, 1961.

For six months, Paul was employed as radioman aboard USNS Rangetracker out of Port Hueneme, CA, covering missile launches, and then was hired by Civil Service as a missile analyst at Vandenberg AFB. After being promoted to Configuration Management, he was at Port Hueneme for a year, and returned to VAFB. He retired from Civil Service as GS 12 in September 1979. He worked briefly for Ford Aerospace and retired again.

He married Eleanor Little on March 25, 1950.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers, and a sister. He is survived by his wife Eleanor; two sisters, Mary (Reed) Shertyer and Anne Zlato of Johnstown, PA; and one brother Leonard (Judith) of Oak Hill, Virginia; daughter Caroline (Phillip) Hughes of Novato, CA; son, Robert Mandroc of Palo Alto, CA; granddaughter, Laura Hughes of Novato, CA; grandson Tyler (Tya) Hughes of Minot, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 1pm at the First Presbyterian Church officiated by Pastor Julia Leeth. Inurnment at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lompoc Food Bank.