Mark Russell Caldwell was born in Attleboro, Massachusetts.  He attended public school sin the Danville area, graduating from Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, New Hampshire, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts witha  Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Through the Navy ROTC Program at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mark received his commission in the United States Navy on 27 May 1981, and was designated as Naval Aviator on 4 February 1983 at VT3, Naval Air Station, Chase Field, Beeville Texas.

Upon completion of CIA Transition Training at Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, California, Mark reported aboard VR24, Sigonella, Italy.

LTjg Caldwell is survived by his father, John Russell Caldwell; his mother, Rosemary Feck Caldwell; his brothers, John and James Caldwell of Danville, New Hampshire.  Also, by his paternal grandmother, Helen Caldwell of Northampton, Massachusetts and an aunt and uncle, Mr. & Mrs. Blake of Suffield, Connecticut.