Alvin Mendes did not come home.

He died from a head wound on Heartbreak Ridge, Hill 487. Near Yawol-San North Korea on Aug. 7, 1951 during the Korean War. Mendes is officially listed as killed in action and missing in action because his remains and property were never recovered and returned to his family.

“I was told by my uncles that he was a fun loving young man,” said niece Sally Mendes who has only a fleeting memory of her uncle from seeing him once when she was 4 years old.

Jimmie Connors Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6311 wants to make sure Mendes is not forgotten.

“We believe he is the only Manteca serviceman not to return home,” noted Post Commander Carlon Perry.

The VFW rank and file has voted to name the plaza honoring veterans being put in place at the new Moffat Community Center/Manteca Veterans Center in Mendes’ honor. The plaza is where bricks that supporters of the VFW have purchased for $100 apiece to honor various individuals who have served America.

Mendes was born om July 26, 1927 on the Dos Reis Ranch near the San Joaquin River that is now the site of Lathrop High.

His older brothers are John R., Mendes and Frank R. Mendez. His sister, who was the youngest in the family, is Laura Mendes Rothin.

 Mendes also attended grammar school in Lathrop and Manteca. He also went to Manteca Union High School.

Mendes served several tours with the Merchant Marines including one to China. He worked for his cousins, Frank R. Mendes and Manual R. Mendes at Pat’s Bar in downtown Manteca. He was drafted in to the Army and went to basic training at Camp Carson, Colorado.

He was sent to Korea and died on Aug. 7, 1951 

Some 500 bricks have been sold so far at $100 each. There is space left for about 200 bricks.

Some have bought as many as 21 bricks. A former Manteca Police officer now with the Stockton Police, as an example, purchased 21 bricks that are each being inscribed with one name of the 21 men he served with in his unit that did not return from Vietnam. Others are honoring relatives or friends that served. Some simply say “thanks” to veterans with the name of the donor noted.

 The Alvin Mendes Veterans Honor Plaza will be located along the sidewalk and the north end of the building.  The bricks will be placed around a flag pole that will have emblems of the branches of the military at its base.

Perry hopes to work with the city to relocate the veterans. memorial plaques of the fallen on the flag pole plaza outside the Manteca Library to the Moffat site.

The commander noted there are even veterans who aren’t away that the plaques are there given its low-key location.

For brick donations or to simply help the effort you can reach Adjutant Dave Bricker by either emailing bricker20@comcast.net or calling 456.7299.

Post Perry can be contacted by emailing carlon.perry@gmail.com or calling 275.0410.

The VFW is a non-profit organization that meets IRS requirements for donations to be tax deductible.



Perry is hopeful the plaza work will be done in time for the dedication of the building on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

The VFW has entered into a long-term lease. In exchange for an annual dollar



To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@antecabuletin.com