Captain Edward Reveley Hallett, U.S.N. (Retired), age 90, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2019. Marianne, his wife of 37 years, was by his side as he died peacefully at home. He was born February 2, 1929 in Elma, Iowa to Stella Maude Rigby Hallett and Reveley Allinson Hallett. He is remembered for his service to our country with 32 years in Naval Aviation.
Ed started his career in 1949 at NAS Pensacola, FL for Naval Air Basic Training (SNJ trainer) where he earned his Navy wings in 1950. He continued his flight training in Corpus Christi, TX flying the PBM-5 (seaplane), then on to NAS North Island, CA. He was assigned to USS Pine Island (AV-12 seaplane tender) with a WestPac cruise in Japan before returning to Coronado, CA. Flight hours continued in the SNJ, T-28 and F8F Bearcat before transitioning to jets with the F9F Panther.
Ed flew slot with the Grey Ghosts Royal Canadian Flight demonstration team (F-2 Banshee) during the Canadian-US Navy Exchange Program. He was the only foreign pilot to fly with the team.
He was stationed aboard the USS Ranger (CVA-61 carrier) as Communications Officer with two tours in Vietnam. In Monterey, CA he earned his B.S at Naval Postgraduate school and was then assigned as XO/CO at NAS Chase Field in Beeville, TX with jet training squadron VT-25, flying the F-9 renamed Cougar. His flying continued as he was assigned to the staff as Jet Training Officer at NAS Corpus Christi, TX. When all was said and done, Ed put in over 5,000 hours flight time and numerous carrier traps.
He attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI before being sent to Washington, DC as the Team Chief for the National Military Command Center at the Pentagon. In his final years of service he was the Head of Personnel, Washington District at Anacostia, MD.
After retiring from the Navy in 1981 Ed traveled overseas as the International Sales Rep for Applied Electro-Mechanics marketing high-powered public address systems for aircraft. In 1995 he finally hung up his "work" hat to enjoy golf, watch his grandchildren play sports, travel to many graduations, and travel the world with Marianne on over fifty cruises. He also pursued his passion for trains on his many travels abroad. He was a staunch patriot who filled his retirement years supporting and volunteering with the Freedom Museum in Manassas, VA which promotes the history and great achievements of our military families.
Ed is survived by his wife Marianne Schaier Hallett, sister Beverly Peterson and brother David Hallett, children Scott Hallett (Debra), Pamela Gaither (John), Kirk Hallett (Denise), Cynthia Cannon (Michael), Michael Schaier (Deborah), Donald Schaier (Lisa), Christopher Schaier (Lori), 16 Grandchildren & 16 Great-Grandchildren.He was preceded in death by (1st wife-div.) Dolores Roeckel Hallett, grandson Nathan Hallett, son John Schaier, grandson Keith Treichel.
Services will be held at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110 on Thursday, May 2, 2019 with viewing and Celebration of Life at 3pm. Afterward a reception will be held at the Columbus Grill, 8349 Centreville Road, Manassas, VA. Internment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. We would like to extend our gratitude for the thoughts and prayers we have received during this time of reflection. We ask in lieu of flowers that donations be made in honor of Capt. E.R. Hallett U.S.N. (Retired) to the "Freedom Museum", 10600 Harry J. Parrish Blvd. #4, Manassas, VA 20110.
