Staff Sergeant Tracy A. Tidwell was born on 17 September 1961 in Texarkana, Texas. After graduating from New Boston High School, he attended Texarkana Community College for two years. In 1984, SSG Tidwell volunteered for service in the U.S. Army and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, followed by Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he was trained as a Medium Helicopter Repairman. After joining the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), SSG Tidwell served with distinction in Panama supporting Operation JUST CAUSE, in Saudi Arabia and Iraq supporting Operation DESERT STORM, and in Haiti supporting Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY.

SSG Tidwell’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (w/Numeral 2), Army Achievement Medal (w/2 OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (w/3 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Senior Aviation Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

SSG Tidwell died on 7 March 1996 during a night training mission when his MH-47E Chinook helicopter, #465, crashed near Russellville, Kentucky.

SSG Tidwell is survived by his wife, Deborah; daughters, Mallory, Shannon and Amanda; and son, Montana. He is laid to rest in Simms, Texas, at Sand Hill Cemetery and at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, group burial Site 7812. The Night Stalker Family Readiness Center on GEN Brown Compound at Fort Campbell, Kentucky is dedicated in his honor as Tidwell Hall.