More detail on this person: Capt. Martin Twite, USN (ret) Memorial Service Planned August 31 For Capt. Martin Twite, USN (ret) Captain Martin Twite, USN (Ret), a resident of Coronado for twenty-three years, passed away Sunday, August 10 at the SharpCoronado Hospital with his family by his side. He had been battling cancer since he was first diagnosed in February of this year. Born and raised in Dawson, Minnesota, he was the oldest of nine children. At the age of 17, he joined the Navy as an Aviation Midshipman earning his wings four years later in 1949. In his first squadron, VP-42 based out of North Island, he made two tours to Korea during the Korean War. The Navy sent him to Aviation Electronics "O" School in Tennessee. After which he was assigned to Guided Missile Unit Four at Point Magu where he served as project officer for the Sparrow Missile System. His next assignment was as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to COMFLTAIRWINGSLANT. Returning to California, he attended Stanford University where he graduated with distinction with the Class of '5B earning a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering. After college, he transitioned to Helicopters, and subsequently served as Operations Officer in HS-9, Executive Officer of HS-7, and Commanding Officer of HS3. In 1962, he earned a Masters Degree in Electronic Engineering from the Naval Post-graduate School in Monterey, CA specializing in digital computers. He also attended the School of Naval Warfare at the Naval War College in Newport, RI in 1967. In 1969, after a tour as Executive Officer of USS Guam (LPH9), he was ordered to Vietnam as Commanding Officer of HAL 3 for a tour of one year. Upon his return from Vietnam and after a tour in the Office of the CNO (OP 506 E), he took Command of USS Coronado (LPD 11) in Norfolk, VA. followed by Command of Amphibious Squadron Three in San Diego. He retired from the Navy in 1976. Among the various awards he earned during his career were the Legion of Merit (with combat V), Distinguished Flying Cross, five Air Medals plus ten Strike/ Flite Awards, Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Vietnam Honor Medal, Korean Service Medal (Six Stars), United Nations Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnamese Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, and the National Service Medal. Following his retirement, he went to work for the Tomahawk Cruise Missile Program at General Dynamics for thirteen years. Since then, he has been active in the support of the Coronado Chapter of Jobs Daughters, the Coronado Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Coronado Emergency Response Team, the local Ham Operators Club, and President of the Coronado Cays Home Owners Association. He is survived by Mary Anne, his wife of 21 years, their four children, and four grandchildren. A memorial service is planned on August 31 at 3 pm in St. Paul's United Methodist Church of Coronado.
Burial information: Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, CA
This information was last updated 09/22/2020
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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