Charles Maury Hallstrom was born July 14, 1946, to
Charles Wilfred and Margaret (Hempel) Hallstrom in Webster,
South Dakota. Charles grew up in Webster and graduated from
Webster High School. He liked to be outside and loved to
hunt rabbits with his brothers. Following high school,
Charles went to Rapid City to attend South Dakota School of
Mines and Technology. While he was there, he was in a
fraternity and enjoyed singing; in fact, he was in a
sought-after group called “The Three of Us” with Jake
Mitchell and Bruce Ballard. He graduated from South Dakota
School of Mines and Technology with a Bachelor of Science
degree in chemical engineering in 1969. Following his
graduation, Charles enlisted in the Army on May 29, 1969,
and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army
Corps of Engineers.
Before he went overseas, Lt. Hallstrom was stationed at
Fort Stewart in Georgia. He went overseas as part of the
Americal Division. During his time away First Lieutenant
wrote his family many letters, the following, dated
September 15, 1970, was taken from one of his last letters
home, when he was working on a road-building project, “one
of the most important projects which must be completed
before the US can pull out.” Hallstrom wrote:
I have been so busy that I have not
been able to attend church services. It is really a test
of faith here. I hope that I am able to retain a
Christian attitude although some times I am filled with
hate. I pray that God will help me love these people and
make everyone realize that war is not the answer. This
land could be very beautiful if it were not for the
ugliness of war.
He ended the letter with “I am sorry this letter is short
and not very cheerful. Please do not feel sorry for me. I
have many fine men who also carry a great burden…” Among his
plans for after the war was to enter the ministry and to
work with kids.
On September 25, 1970, First Lieutenant Charles Maury
Hallstrom was killed in action in Southeast Asia when his
Jeep hit a land mine. His body was later returned to the
United States and he was buried with military honors at the
cemetery in Webster. Later, in memory of Charles, the Hunter
Army Airfield’s Petway Lake was changed to Hallstrom Lake
and a memorial plaque was placed in his honor in the Surbeck
Center at SDSM&T.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Michaela Kieleyl.
Fuerstenau, 9th Grade, Spearfish High School, Spearfish,
South Dakota, on May 15, 2005. Information for this entry
was obtained from the Hallstrom family via Robert and Cathy,
brother and sister, respectively. (P/S/F/A 6/7/05, 1/7/06.)
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