SSG Tidwell was born in Texarkana, Texas on 17 September, 1961. After graduating from New Boston High School, he attended Texarkana Community College for two years. In 1984, SSG Tidwell enlisted in the Army and attended basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Virginia as a medium helicopter repairman. After joining the 160th Aviation Battalion, SSG Tidwell served with distinction in Panama during Operation Just Cause, Saudi Arabia and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, and Haiti during Operation Uphold Democracy.
His military decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, four Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, the Senior Aircraft Crewmember Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
Staff Sergeant Tracy A. Tidwell was killed during a night training mission while serving as an MH-47E Chinook, #465, Flight Engineer for Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion on 7 March,1996 near Russellville, Kentucky.
Staff Sergeant Tidwell was married to the former Deborah Lynn Sorro and had two children, daughter, Mallory and son, Montana, and two step-daughters Shannon and Amanda Sorro.
Back to Memorial Wall
