Herbert Joseph Sweet, 78, who retired in 1969 as the sergeant major of the Marine Corps, that service's top enlisted post, died of respiratory failure June 18, 1998 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia. He had Parkinson's disease.

He was born in Hartford, Connecticut and raised in Troy, New York. He enlisted in 1937 and served in the Pacific during World War II and in Korea during the Korean War. His decorations included the Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star, four Purple Hearts and the Navy Commendation Medal.

After service in Korea, he was assistant to the professor of naval science at Columbia University and was stationed in the Philippines. He was division sergeant major in the Far East before being named sergeant major in Washington.

After he retired, he was a veterans benefits counselor for the Veterans Administration and Fleet Reserve Association.

He was an usher at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Alexandria and a member of the 3rd Marine Division Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Marine Corps Historical Association, Marine Corps League and Subic Bay Survivors Association.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Dorothea Martin Sweet of Alexandria; two children, Kathleen Sweet Charters and Michael J. Sweet, both of Vienna; a sister; and two grandchildren.

On Thursday, June 18, 1998, at his residence, beloved husband of Dorothea M. Sweet; father of Kathleen M. Charters and Michael J. Sweet, both of Vienna, VA; father-in-law of Richard E. Charters and Jacqueline M. Levandowsky; brother of Jean M. Severson of Troy, NY; grandfather of Michael J. and Angela M. Sweet of Vienna, VA. He is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial at 7 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community, 1427 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria, VA 22302. Interment, 9 a.m., Thursday, June 25 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Family requests that friends meet at the Memorial Gate at 8:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Blessed Sacrament Building Fund.

Photos courtesy of the United States Marine Corps

The sergeant major died at his home in Alexandria, Virginia, June 18 of respiratory failure. He was 78.

Sergeant Major Sweet held the Corps' top enlisted post from 1965-69 during the Marine Corps' heaviest fighting in Vietnam. Raised in Troy, N.Y., the sergeant major joined the Marines in l937 and saw action in World War II on Guam and Iwo Jima as well as combat service in Korea and Vietnam. He received four awards of the Purple Heart for wounds received in battle; and was also decorated with the Bronze Star and the Navy Commendation Medal, each with Combat "V."

In addition to his service as the Marine Corps' senior enlisted advisor under Commandants General Wallace M. Greene, Jr. and General Leonard F. Chapman, Jr., Sgt. Maj. Sweet served as Field Sergeant Major of the 2nd Marine Division in Korea. He also held the senior enlisted post at the 3rd Marine Division (Okinawa), at Marine Barracks Subic Bay (Philippines), and at the 6th Marine Corps District in Atlanta.

Immediately following the Korean Conflict, Sgt. Maj. Sweet served for two years as Assistant to the Professor of Naval Science, NROTC Unit, Columbia University in New York City. Other tours of duty included Parris Island, S.C. (recruit training first sergeant) and Marine Detachment assignments aboard USS MISSOURI and at the Naval Ordnance Plant in Macon, Ga.

Sergeant Maj. Sweet is survived by his wife, Dorothea, of Alexandria; son, Michael J. Sweet; daughter, Kathleen Sweet Charters; grandson, Michael J. Sweet II; and granddaughter, Angela M. Sweet, all of Vienna, Va. 

Services with full military honors will be held graveside at Arlington National Cemetery. Sgt. Maj. Lewis G. Lee, the thirteenth and current Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, will present the national ensign to Mrs. Sweet.

Sergeant Major Sweet held the Corps' top enlisted post from 1965-69 during the Marine Corps' heaviest fighting in Vietnam. Raised in Troy, New York, the Sergeant Major joined the Marines in l937 and saw action in World War II on Guam and Iwo Jima as well as combat service in Korea and Vietnam. He received four awards of the Purple Heart for wounds received in battle; and was also decorated with the Bronze Star and the Navy Commendation Medal, each with Combat "V."

In addition to his service as the Marine Corps' senior enlisted advisor under Commandants General Wallace M. Greene, Jr. and General Leonard F. Chapman, Jr., Sergeant Major Sweet served as Field Sergeant Major of the 2nd Marine Division in Korea. He also held the senior enlisted post at the 3rd Marine Division (Okinawa), at Marine Barracks Subic Bay (Philippines), and at the 6th Marine Corps District in Atlanta.

Immediately following the Korean Conflict, Sergeant Major Sweet served for two years as Assistant to the Professor of Naval Science, NROTC Unit, Columbia University in New York City. Other tours of duty included Parris Island, S.C. (recruit training first sergeant) and Marine Detachment assignments aboard USS MISSOURI and at the Naval Ordnance Plant in Macon, Ga. Sergeant Maj. Sweet is survived by his wife, Dorothea, of Alexandria; son, Michael J. Sweet; daughter,
Kathleen Sweet Charters; grandson, Michael J. Sweet II; and granddaughter, Angela M. Sweet, all of Vienna, Virginia.

Services with full military honors will be held graveside at Arlington National Cemetery. Sergeant Major Lewis G. Lee, the thirteenth and current Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, will present the national ensign to Mrs. Sweet.

SWEET, HERBERT J
SGTMAJ MC   US MARINE CORPS
VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 08/02/1942 - 08/01/1969
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/08/1919
DATE OF DEATH: 06/18/1998
DATE OF INTERMENT: 06/25/1998
BURIED AT: SECTION 12  SITE 2347
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY