John L. Hallett, III, 30

Army, Captain

Based: Ft. Lewis, Wash.

1st Batallion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division

Supporting: Operation Enduring Freedom

Died: August 25, 2009

southern Afghanistan, Afghanistan

Married, 3 children

Gender: Male

Hometown: Concord

High School: De La Salle High School (Concord)

Burial: Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Lafayette, Calif.

Hallett, a West Point graduate, was among four soldiers killed when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle in southern Afghanistan. Hallett's father said the men had gone on a mercy mission to a village suffering a cholera outbreak. "Knowing my son, he volunteered," said John Hallett II.

Donald J. Hogan, 08/26/2009

Brian M. Wolverton, 08/20/2009

Eight memories of John L. Hallett, III

“

I knew John during my last two years at West Point. We had a few engineering classes together. Despite the amount of work we had to do, he never said never and always had a smile on his face. Sometimes I would visit his room in the barracks just down the hall and see him watching television on his computer just before a huge exam or project. It would be around curfew time which was at 11:30pm and he would say "I'll study tonight." So, he would stay up all night studying. The funniest thing was that he always had to watch his favorite show, "Blind Date." It was hilarious.
John was a water polo player and spent his summer before senior year at Scuba school (I don't know how he passed).
Although I haven't spoken to John since the Academy, I feel like if I had met 25 years down the road, it would still be like yesterday.
Well done, John, be thou at peace.

” — Dion , August 28, 2009 at 3:18 p.m.

“

Son, I did not know you. But as one of those who 8 years ago were sounding the war cry, (and then at 60 years conveniently well beyond the age of those who would have to make the sacrifice) I feel personally responsible. And I am taking this pitful means to reach out with this feeble message, reach out to you to whereever you are; and to your love ones, and say to you, I am so sorry for sending you into this war with so few alongside you; so few to carry the burden you willingly carried. I did not believe it would be like this. I was wrong and I grieve with your loved ones at this hour. William.
I guess what misshaped me is the late 1940s when we were still attending WWII funerals; everyone seemed on board - willing to bear their part of the sacrifice. Things have changed. And this has cost us; and cost your love ones, and I am in a definable way responsible, and I am in grief this morning.

” — William Whatley, October 19, 2009 at 6:05 a.m.

“

As the mother of Captain John, I want to thank Martha Groves for this beautiful obituary on our son. The LA Times has always been one of our favorite papers. It touches our hearts to see them honor all the Californian Fallen Soldiers. Our family is learning how to grieve and live without one of the world's finest. We most have faith and realize this mystery is in God's hands. As a woman of peace and longing for peace in our world, I am beginning to view war as a storm. War seems to loom its ugly head every now and again despite our best diplomatic efforts.I have learned a valuable lesson in the loss of my son. Our Military is one of dignity and community. They loved my son and all their people. I had no idea that I too belong to this incredible group of people. Yes, they are trained to kill and defend, but they also are trained to minister and build. The hearts of all our soldiers are much about building communities and lives.My son was such a part of these efforts. Son, be thou at rest, your duty is done. Love, Mother.

” — Wendy Hallett, October 27, 2009 at 2:36 a.m.

“

I am confused regarding "our" mission in the Middle East. I am not at all confused about the deep gratitude and pride I feel towards John and the sacrifice he made for all of us. I know that his contribution to bringing the world closer to peace and harmony isn't lost with his passing. All my heartfelt empathy to his family and those who miss him in the everyday world of their lives. Although I haven't yet met John, I sense through those that know him the gift he left the world. A gift I recently received was the book "The Shack". For those who are struggling with his death and who attempt to know God's ways through the Christian faith, please read this wonderful parable.

” — Todd Auker, December 1, 2009 at 6:19 p.m.

“

I am CSM Kindler and I served with one of the finest officers that wore the uniform and that was John Hallett. I was the BN OPS SGM for 1-17 IN BN and worked side by side with John. I moved to the BDE HQ as the OPS SGM just prior to the deployment where we lost one of the finest officers to serve in the military. I personally knew John, CPT Corey Jenkins and SFC Ron Sawyer what a loss of fine young men. I just served as the TF CSM for 3-41 in RC-S and lost Soldiers as the CSM. It is never easy to loose Soldiers especially of the caliber that John was. He was the most positive officers I believe that ever put on the uniform, and his impact on his Soldiers and everyone around him will never be forgotten. To John you were and will always be the best I have ever seen or knew. To Mrs Hallett and their three beautiful children you were blessed to have John in your lives. To his parents you raised the best man I ever had the privelage to meet and work with. I thank you with all my heart for blessing this world with such a great man and a true inspiration for all.

CSM Kindler

” — CSM Lon Kindler, September 29, 2014 at 10:08 p.m.

Search by: Age, Base, Branch, Cemetery, Date of Death, Country of Birth, Gender, High School, Hometown, Marital Status, Name, Number of Children, Theater of Operation, Place of Death

Sources: Times research, Defense Department, iCasualties.org

Help us complete our database. Something missing or wrong? Want to share a photo?

John L. Hallett, III, 30

Related

Eight memories of John L. Hallett, III