Bronson "Bro" Wetherall Sweeney's Obituary
Colonel Bronson “Bro” W Sweeney, USMC (Ret.) died peacefully at age 80, on Sunday, July 28th, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on January 9, 2025 at 10:45 am the Old Post Chapel, the chapel address is 204 Arlington Ave. Fort Myer, VA 22211. All service attendees should arrive at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer by 10:00 AM and must enter Fort Myer through Hatfield Gate, 29 Carpenter Rd. Fort Myer, VA 22211. All attendees 16 years of age and older must have a valid photo ID and visitor 24-hour base access pass in order to enter Fort Myer. A 24-hour base access pass must be completed no more than 14 days ahead or less than three days prior to service. Request access pass by visiting https://pass.aie.army.mil/jbmhh/ this pass MUST BE PRINTED and with you on the day of services, additional information regarding access pass can be found here https://home.army.mil/jbmhh/index.php/my-fort/all-services/access-gate-info
Colonel Sweeney was born on Oct 3, 1943, in Fall River, MA to Bronson and Ada Sweeney. A native of Newport, Rhode Island, he was a star quarterback in high school. He went on to study at the University of Rhode Island, where he was awarded the Bachelor of Science. He was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps upon graduation in 1966. For the next two years he was a full-time faculty member at the University of Cincinnati, where he earned the Master of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.
He commenced flight training in July 1968 and was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1970. “Hemlock” began his aviation career at VMFA-235 in Kaneohe, Hawaii, where he learned to fly the F-4J. The F-4 “Phantom” remained his favorite jet throughout his career. In 1975, Colonel Sweeney commenced Test Pilot School at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and graduated from the engineering test pilot curriculum in June 1976. For the next two years he served as a Test Pilot and Project Officer at the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate, Naval Air Test Center. During this period, the Marine Corps nominated, and NASA selected, him as a finalist for the Space Shuttle Astronaut Program.
Colonel Sweeney attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, Virginia (AY 1978-79) and then reported to Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 1 at the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, California. He was subsequently assigned to the staff of the Commander Amphibious Forces 7th Fleet, nominated by the Marine Corps a second time for the Space Shuttle Astronaut Program, and when TACRON 11 was commissioned in May 1981, appointed as the squadron's first Executive Officer (XO).
From September 1981 to June 1985, Colonel Sweeney was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 11, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, during the introduction of the F/A-18 “Hornet” into the Fleet Marine Forces. Colonel Sweeney served as the Commanding Officer of the 1000-person Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron 11, followed by assignments as the Operations Officer and then XO of MAG-11, the 3500-person MAG.
During AY 85-86, Colonel Sweeney attended top level school (TLS) at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating in June 1986 with the Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Returning to the Naval Air Test Center in July 1986, Colonel Sweeney was assigned as the XO of the Marine Aviation Detachment (MAD). Concurrently, he served as the Flight Systems Department Head in the Strike Aircraft Test Directorate, responsible for the aerodynamic and propulsion systems testing programs for all Navy and Marine Corps jet aircraft. In April 1988 Colonel Sweeney assumed command of the MAD and served as the Commanding Officer (CO) of the Detachment until July 1990.
In August 1990 Colonel Sweeney assumed command of the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC) Unit at the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. He served as the CO and Professor of Naval Science of the NROTC Unit until his retirement from active duty in August 1993. Colonel Sweeney's personal awards include the Legion of Merit (with Gold Star in lieu of Second Award).
Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, he was the Chief Operating Officer for two Minneapolis and one Baltimore law firms. He retired from law firm management in 2004.
Colonel Sweeney was married to Lynne (Bishop) Sweeney and they resided in the Locust Point neighborhood of Baltimore for more than two decades, where they were seen running regularly around Fort McHenry and the Inner Harbor. He and Lynne avidly supported causes important to them and their children. Together they attended their kids’ graduations, relatives’ weddings, and spent time with friends. He is remembered as a husband, father, uncle, brother, cousin, friend, leader, and mentor. To some, he was the poster boy Marine pilot with a crew cut and solid jaw; to others, Hemlock. To Lynne, he was the best running partner anyone could ask for. To Erin, he was her first soccer coach. To Shannon, the man who could spot a bullshitter, even in Chinese. To Kara, the coolest dad at Career Day at school. To Meagan, he always had an encouraging word, “keep showing up and doing your best - it’s funny how you get lucky when you work hard” he’d always remind her. Many have said he saved them, in one way or another, and that they are alive because of him. In addition to his wife Lynne, he leaves behind four daughters - Shannon Sweeney; LtCol Erin Black (Ret), USMC and husband CWO4 Quentin Black, USMC; Kara Guerriero and husband Chuck; and Meagan Mattingly - and six grandchildren – Anya and PFC Finn Orlandini; Wyatt, Conner, Malachi, and Dillon Black. His brother Wayne and sons, Raphael and Dominic, preceded him in death.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bro’s honor to one of the following:
-Stephen’s Fund: Charlotte Hall Rotary Foundation Inc, PO Box 681, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
-Gift of Adoption: https://giftofadoption.org/donate/ The donation can be made to any location that you feel is a good fit. His grandsons were benefited by the Missouri chapter.
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