Navy Gold Star Coordinator Support

Thomas was a loving son and oldest brother of seven children. Even at a young age, Thomas was drawn to serving his country in the Navy, desiring to follow in his dad's footsteps. He felt called to help those in need and to be a part of something bigger. Thomas participated in the Navy JROTC in high school in Rota, Spain. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy in 2017. He dutifully served his country and was stationed at Ft. Meade at the time of his death. Thomas will be remembered for his dedication to his country, answering the calling to serve, and his love of the US Navy.

MC1 Victor Walter Jeffries was born February 9, 1955 in Brooklyn, NY. He attended Louis Brandeis High School in the heart of the Upper West Side and excelled as a student athlete. He continued his education at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Exercise Physiology, 1979. Following higher education, Victor worked and lived in New York City, and played for the New Jersey Rams Semi-Pro Football team, 1979-1980.

Victor moved to Honolulu, HI in 1984 where he met his wife, Elizabeth. They had two daughters, Keshia and Chantel. He worked as a P.E. teacher and Head Coach of the J.V. Girls basketball team at Farrington High School, leading to a state championship. He was involved with the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy as a mentor. An anchor in his community, he was always giving back with a smile and positivity.

In addition to Victor’s career with the Hawaii Department of Education, he served with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, and U.S Navy. At the end of his career, he worked at what is now known as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, operating boats and equipment with the SEAL Team 1. He was later assigned to the Navy Expeditionary Logistics support group, Navy Customs Battalion Tango. They deployed on September 30, 2007 to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He later succumbed to injuries from a vehicular accident on December 30, 2007.

Seaman First Class Earl Eugene Halvorson USN, age 19, died February 27, 1944, on board the submarine USS Grayback (SS208), lost to enemy action during World War II.

Earl was born to Johnnie and Amelia (Possails) Halvorson in rural Lyon County Minnesota. After the death of his father, Earl (age 8) shouldered the responsibility as father-figure to his younger siblings during the Great Depression.

On December 20, 1941, thirteen days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Earl enlisted in the US Navy. Only 17, his mother reluctantly signed his enlistment papers, and December 31st  he reported to Naval Station Great Lakes.  Earl volunteered for Submarine Service and reported to Pearl Harbor. Scoring top of his class, he was ordered to active duty as torpedo-man on the USS Grayback. He served on her 7th, 8th, 9th, and  eternal war patrols.

So, it was bittersweet on November 11, 2019, news broke that a 75 year old mystery had been solved – the USS Grayback had been found resting off the coast of Okinawa; the final resting place of Earl and 79 comrades.

Earl is fondly remembered by his last surviving sibling, Elaine, age 93. Earl's legacy inspired future generations to volunteer for military service.