[1][2] Twining was born on November 28, 1902, at Monroe, Wisconsin, and was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1923.

Twining was ordered to the Marine barracks at Pearl Harbor in November 1925, and after six months in Hawaii, he sailed for China, via the Philippine Islands.

[3] He was promoted to first lieutenant in December 1928 while serving as commander of the Marine barracks at the Pacific Coast Torpedo Station, Keyport, Washington.

From July 1935 to August 1936, Captain Twining was a student in the Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia.

[3] During the planning phase, Lieutenant Colonel Twining and Major William B. McKean were flown over the then Japanese-held island on 17 July 1942, for the first sighting of Guadalcanal by U.S. Marines in World War II.

Following the Guadalcanal campaign, he served as assistant chief of staff, G-3, of I Marine Amphibious Corps, then commanded by General Alexander A. Vandegrift.

Returning to the United States in November 1943, Lieutenant Colonel Twining remained until 1947 at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico.

In August 1947, Colonel Twining reported to Pearl Harbor as chief of staff, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.