Earl Tweedel

Earl C. Tweedel 19282010

Opelousas Earl C. Tweedel, 82, of Opelousas LA, born September 28, 1928 in Lewisburg, LA, died Monday night, December 6, 2010, at the Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jennings LA.
Mr. Tweedel retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 from the United States Army with over 20 years of honorable service. After retiring from the Army, he returned to Opelousas and worked for a number of years in the automotive industry. He was a life member of the Reserve Officers Association, a longtime member of Veterans groups and was particularly active in assisting Vietnam War veterans.
Mr. Tweedel was the third of three children of Ferdinand Ferdie and Aglia Lavergne Tweedel of Lewisburg. He left high school early to enlist in the US Army during World War II, at the age of 16. Because of his young age, the Army turned him down. However, he later successfully joined the Merchant Marines during the war, serving in the Pacific, Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters of operations. Following World War II, he stayed in the Merchant Marines for several years. He joined the US Army and served with the 72d Combat Engineers during the Korean War, where he was wounded in action. Following the Korean War, he was stationed in Germany, Fort Hood TX, and other posts. He was awarded a Warrant Officer commission in 1963. He later served two, separate, oneyear tours of duty in South Vietnam from Jun 1966 to Jun 1967, and again from Jun 1968 to Jun 1969. After his last tour in Vietnam, he was stationed at Fort Carson CO, when he retired in 1971 and returned to Opelousas. When he retired, his combined total service in the Merchant Marines and US Army was over 25 years.
His Merchant Marine and US Army commendations include: Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 6 services stars, Korea Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, United Nations Korea Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Atlantic War Zone Medal, MediterraneanMiddle East War Zone Medal, Pacific War Zone Medal, World War II Victory Medal, various unit citations and commendations, and others.
Mr. Tweedel was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Effie Tweedel Comeaux, and brother Merrick J. Tweedel. His is survived by his sisterinlaw Belle Tweedel of Opelousas, nephews Lt Col USAR Ret Ron W. Tweedel of Covington LA, Lt Col USAFR Don R. Tweedel of OFallon IL, Mr. Chester Leger, and niece Judy Ann Leger, and their families.
Visitation: Friends may call from 8 am to 10:30 am, Thursday, December 9, 2010 at Sibille Funeral Home, 2309 George Drive, Opelousas, LA.
Funeral: A rosary will be said at 10:30 am at Sibille Funeral Home on Thursday, December 9, 2010. Following the rosary, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am at Sibille Funeral Home with Msgr. Keith DeRouen officiating. Interment will follow at Bellevue Memorial Cemetery, Opelousas. Full military honors will be rendered at graveside by a contingent from Fort Polk LA.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.