McDonald D. "Mac" Tweed

McDonald D. ("Mac") Tweed, Colonel, USMC, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2015, in
Kingsport, Tennessee.

Mac was born on September 27, 1920, on a mountain farm outside Marshall, North Carolina. He was married for 64 years to his beloved Mary, and served our nation as a Marine aviator for 32 years, including combat service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. His personal citations include the Legion of Merit with Combat "V", four Distinguished Flying Crosses, twenty-seven Air Medals, the Navy Meritorious Service Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Helicopter Rescue Award.

Colonel Tweed's helicopter squadron in Vietnam, "Tweed's Tigers", received many awards for their dedication and gallantry. One Marine who served under him put it this way: "We would follow him to hell and back, not because we were ordered to, but because he was so beloved by his men and respected as a leader."

At its annual reunion, the USMC Combat Helicopter Association, "Pop-A-Smoke," awards the "McDonald D. Tweed Award" to a Marine squadron whose efforts reflect support of Marine Corps ideals.

Mac Tweed's courageous service to his country was exceeded by his loving service to his family. He was a loving and faithful husband, and a wonderfully tender-hearted and generous father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Because family came first for him, family comes first for his descendants.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents, Douglas S. Tweed and Dora Flowe Tweed; his brother, Dan Tweed; and seven half-brothers and half-sisters.

Surviving are his daughter, Janet Caldwell and husband Tom of Monroe, NC; his son, Doug Tweed and wife, Christie of Kingsport; his four grandchildren, Tom Caldwell, Tim Caldwell, Jennifer Tweed Morlock, and Mary Jessica Tweed Williams; and nine great-grandchildren, Joshua, Phoenix, Ty, Sam, Mia, Emma, Sophie, Anna and Elijah.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 15, in the chapel of Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport, with Doug Tweed and Tom Caldwell presiding. Visitation with family will immediately follow the service.

There will be a private family burial ceremony at a later date.


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, The Cooper Center, 18251 Quantico Gaterway Dr., Triangle, VA 22172-1776, or Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA, 23453. The family wants to thank everyone for your prayers and condolences.