Knight Flies After 20 Years

Today SFC James Halterman retired at the Golden Knight’s Headquarters Facility after 20 years of faithful service to his country.

Former Sergeant Major Michael Eitniear, former Black Team leader SFC Dan Moesch, CW2 Chris Altman, family and friends and two Captains who were cadets trained by Halterman at West Point, stood alongside the current Team to honor his dedication and service to his Team and Nation. It was a truly bitter-sweet ceremony with lots of memories, laughter and tears as various members of the audience reminisced about days of old.

Commander of the US Army Parachute Team, LTC Joe Martin presented the Retirement Award, Retirement Certificate, U. S. Flag, lapel button and the Certificate of Appreciation from the President of the Unite States to SFC Halterman. SGM Stephen Young presented the Excalibur Sword and SFC Tom Bovee gave him a lithograph from the Team.

After the roasting, Halterman gave his farewell performance on the Army stage and concluded in his remarks that his entire career with the Army and the Golden Knights had been an honor. The ceremony closed with the Retirement Medley, the Army Song and a reception held in the dayroom.

SFC JAMES D. HALTERMAN

SFC Halterman is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia as an Infantryman from May to August 1987 and served in A Co. 3^rd Battalion, 14^th Infantry Regiment, 10^th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York until May, 1991. Three years later he re-entered the Army and attended Advanced Individual Training as a Parachute Rigger at Fort Lee, Virginia from July to October 1994.  His past assignments include the Airborne Test Force and Military Freefall Committee, Yuma, Arizona from November 1994 to July 1997.  United States Army Parachute Team, (“Golden Knights”), Fort Bragg, North Carolina from July 1997 to June 2003.  Rigger Detachment, Headquarters Support Troop, 10^th Forward Support Battalion, 10^th Mountain Division, Kandahar, Afghanistan from August 2003 to April 2004.  Airborne Detachment and Department of Military Instruction, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York from July 2004 to July 2008.  Ninewa Province Police Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1^st Infantry Division, Mosul, Iraq from January 2008 to December 2009. Culminating his service to the nation again with the U.S. Army Parachute Team from January through July 2010.

SFC Halterman’s awards and decorations include:  the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2d OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4^th OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2d OLC), Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (6^th award), National Defense Service Medal (2^nd award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Combat Action Badge Parachute Rigger Badge,  Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert Marksmanship Badge, German Parachutists badge and the Order of the Combat Spur.

Military Education:

Military Transition Team and Advanced Military Transition Team Courses, Combat Life Saver Course, Warrior Leader, Advanced and Senior Leader Courses, Instructor Training Course, Military Freefall Course, Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Jungle Operations Course, Infantry Light Leaders and Mountain Light Leaders Courses, Nuclear Biological and Chemical Course, MC-4/5 Courses, FF2/AR2 Courses, and the Airdrop Load Inspector Course.

SFC Halterman is USPA Coach, Static-line Instructor, Accelerated Freefall Instructor and Evaluator.

All photographs were taken by Sean Capogreco.

Tagged as: Golden Knights, HQ, Retirement, Special Events