John Sawyer Tweedie

Horse Shoe ~ John Tweedie, 85, died Friday, October 22, 2010 at his residence in Horseshoe, NC. John "Jack" was born in Boston, MA on November 15, 1925 and was the son of the late John Malden Tweedie and Helen Jane Sawyer Tweedie. He was husband of 63 years to the late Madeline Wilkins who was his childhood sweetheart. In addition to his parents, the surviving of five siblings are Eileen Tweedie Nickerson of Maine and Marjorie Tweedie Fraser and her husband Dr. E.C. Fraser of Reno, Nevada; three daughters, Sherrie "Tweedie" Reed of Horseshoe, Bonnie "Tweedie" Hyland and her husband John of Blountville, TN and Robin "Tweedie" Mazzola and her husband Richard of Charleston, N.H.; three grandchildren, Rebekah Mazzola and her partner Doug, John "Jack" Reed of Gloucester, MA and Jen "Reed" Mauney and her husband Bryan of Marion, NC; two great grandchildren, Aaron Mazzola and Mason Mauney. Mr. Tweedie was a Navy Radarman, second class entering at the age of 17 in January 11 of 1943 until February 17, 1946. He received the Purple Heart Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, the European/African Theater Medal-3 stars, the Asiatic/Pacific Theatre Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He served on the DE 426 Landsdale in Oran, Algiers. His ship was torpedoed by heavy German fighter action and was sunk. Most of the crew escaped. Jack was the last survivor off. All floated in oil soaked water for four hours. Jack had given up his life preserver to another shipmate who was a poor swimmer. After their rescue, he was transferred to the Pacific, serving on the USS Mayo which was present during the signing of the Japan surrender ceremony. No services are planned at this time but a memorial service will be held in February at the Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain for both John and Madeline Tweedie. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian will announce arrangements.