Tattoo of LTG David D. Halverson, U.S. Army Retired
Snow by Harry Nilsson
David Dale Halverson was born on August 13, 1957, in a small, northern Minnesota mining town. The Halversons were a large Swedish family with 7 children: three older sisters, Dave, and three younger brothers. Growing up in Babbitt, he took part in outdoor sportsman activities like hunting, fishing, and finding places deep in the woods to drink his Dad’s beer with his high school buddies. He lettered in Baseball, Football, and Ice Hockey for three years. He was his High School Student Council President and attended Boy’s State. As Dave entered his high school years, his proficiency on the ice increased, and he found himself at a summer camp run by the Hockey coach of the Air Force Academy. He was eventually recruited and accepted by both Air Force and West Point. After his high school graduation, he packed his skates, tossed back his long, blond hair, and headed to the United States Military Academy to play Hockey and become a Soldier. His Swedish heritage and Minnesota upbringing are shown in his continuing passion for the Vikings, Twins, and North Stars (Wild).
The West Point March by USMA Marching Band
While he was at West Point, Dave enjoyed playing hockey in the freezing cold arena at Smith Rink and was coached by the legendary 1960 Olympic Gold Medal Coach, Jack Riley. When it came time for CTLT, He was selected to go to a Field Artillery unit in Germany. There, he spent lots of time in the field at Grafenwohr, sending rounds downrange with the Howitzer Battery of the 2d Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment. As Math was a favorite subject, he found the charts and darts of the FA a natural fit. So, when he graduated from the US Military Academy in 1979, he commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army Field Artillery.
Garryowen (1st Cavalry) March US Army Band
Halverson's first few duty assignments as a lieutenant were within the 1st – 82nd FA (Dragons), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as a Battalion Reconnaissance Officer, Battery Fire Direction Officer, Executive Officer, and Battalion Adjutant. 1-82 did the operational test for the Q-36 and Q-37 Radars. It was there he was blessed with the birth of his daughter, Lindsey, in October 1982. After attending the Career Course at Fort Sill, he was assigned to 6th Battalion, 29th Field Artillery, 8th Infantry Division in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Dave commanded Battery A, a 155mm, nuclear-capable unit during the Cold War for 33 months.
Would You Go With Me by Josh Turner
After returning from Germany, he attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Research and Systems Analysis. He met another student while in Monterey, Karen, who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1984 and was serving as an Unrestricted Line Officer in the US Navy. After Graduation, they were married on Army/Navy Game Day in 1989. They were both supposed to be assigned to the Pentagon, but Dave was sent off to Operation Just Cause in Panama. He served as the J5 Plans under General Maxell “Mad Max” Thurman in the US Southern Command. So, they spent the first year of marriage apart. After redeployment from Panama, both were sent to their next assignments in Hawaii.
Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
He served as the 25th DiVarty Assistant Operations Officer and then did his field grade time in the 2nd Battalion – 11th Field Artillery as an S3 and XO, Karen was still serving in the Navy at Pearl Harbor. Their daughter, Anna, was born in 1992. After Dave left 2-11 FA, he became the speechwriter for the USARPAC Commander, LTG Bob Ord and had many adventures traveling around the Indo-Pacific area of operations. They loved their Hawaii time and experiencing the “Aloha” Spirit.
Changes in Latitude Changes in Attitude – Jimmy Buffet
The family transferred to Fort Hood, Texas, where their youngest daughter, Ellen, was born in 1994. The following year Dave took command of the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery (Steel Dragons), 1st Cav Division. Dave was excited to be back with the 1st Cav Divarty, under the command of then COL Raymond Odierno, and alongside other artillerymen like Tom Vandal, Rich Longo, Steve Maranian, Matt Merrick, and Joe Smith. Battalion command was made even more challenging, having two toddlers underfoot. Between the financial commitments of command and supporting three growing girls, there were days that Dave and Karen thought they would be exhausted and broke forever! Karen had the girls on her own many times as the Battalion was in the field a lot (Paladin fielding), National Training Center Rotation and deployed to Operation Deep Strike. Following command, the Family moved to Carlisle so Dave could attend War College.
2nd Infantry Division Warrior March - US Army Chorus and Band
After Carlisle, the Halversons spent a year at the Pentagon in a staff position, and Dave was promoted to Colonel by General Eric Shinseki. The Halversons made the big move to Korea in 1999 where Dave commanded the 2nd ID DivArty, Camp Stanley. Warrior Thunder was always busy north of the “No Smile Line,” and Dave didn’t get back to Seoul often. Korea was not an easy assignment, but the family had a great time living there, making lifelong friends, and enjoying the Korean culture and the ability to travel around Asia. Dave enjoyed working with great Red Legs like Brian McKiernan, Matt Merrick, Rory Crooks, and Gary McKenney on the peninsula. The move to CENTCOM came next. Dave was serving as the J3 Plans Chief when the tragedy of 9/11 occurred. He moved on base at McDill AFB for over seven months as the warplans were developed. He first deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom to assist in setting up the ISAF Accord and opening the embassy in Kabul and then, along with CENTCOM headquarters for the invasion of Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Karen only realized he was in Afghanistan when she saw a newspaper photo of a group of military officers at the abandoned embassy in Kabul and saw Dave in the photo. It was a historic time in our country, and Dave ran multiple rehearsals and drafted 2 EXORDS and 29 POTUS briefs under the watchful eye of General Tommy Franks. Following those deployments, the family moved to Fort Sill in 2003 so Dave, along with MG Mike Maples and LTG Dave Valcourt could stand up the Joint Fires Integration Center, JASIC. While the family was at Fort Sill, they became close to the Grahams as Mark was serving as Assistant Commandant at the time. LTG Tom Vandal was serving as the 75th Brigade commander and lived next door to the Halversons. Karen was a Blue and Gold information officer for the Naval Academy and recruited two of the Vandal Boys to go to Naval Academy, something for which Tom never forgave Dave. Dave attended the British Higher Command and Staff College in England and made lifetime friends there. Oldest daughter Lindsey was enjoying her time at Oklahoma State and the family was lucky to be able to visit her in Stillwater. Their time at Fort Sill was filled with many friends but way too short, after only 10 months they headed to their next duty station, Fort Hood in 2004.
4th Infantry Division March – US Army Chorus and Band
Upon arriving at Fort Hood, Dave was promoted to BG and commanded the Operational Test Command. After a devastating helicopter accident that took the life of BG Ben Allen and six others, Dave was transferred to 4ID. He deployed again, this time as the Deputy Commanding General (Support) for the 4th Infantry Division for OIF 5/7, serving under General Thurman. It was a tough, hard-fought deployment, and many heroes paid the ultimate sacrifice for Freedom. After his deployment, the Family was on the move to Fort Myer, VA. Dave assumed duties on the Army Staff as the Director of Operations, Readiness, and Mobilization, G-33, and then became the Director of Force Development, G-8, where he developed the RDT&E investment, modernization, and equipping programs for the Army totaling $200B across the POM. General Thurman was there to promote Dave to MG.
Oklahoma - Rodgers and Hammerstein
Dave assumed command of Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill in 2009. During Dave’s 33 months in command, the Air Defense Artillery completed its move to Fort Sill. This was a challenging time, developing new programs, units and departments shifting locations, and new infrastructure being added to accommodate another branch. Terms like Team Sill and Fires Strong found their way into the vernacular and forged a unified team. The family loved their time at Fort Sill and living in the historic Sherman House. If you stand still long enough they will tell you stories of their experiences with the Sherman House ghosts. They enjoyed living so close to Lindsey and her husband Tyler and to be in Oklahoma for the birth of grandson number 1, David. Daughter Anna graduated from Lawton High School and left for the University of Notre Dame and NROTC.
Halverson assumed duties as the Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command in June 2012. He was promoted to LTG upon arrival at Fort Eustis, VA. Ellen who had the unfortunate luck of having to move her senior year, graduated from high school in Newport News, VA and then followed her sister to the University of Notre Dame and Navy ROTC. GEN Odierno, who had known all the Halverson girls since they were very young, generously wrote a letter of recommendation for Ellen for her NROTC scholarship. He called Dave and said something to the effect of “You’re killing me. I’m CSA of the Army and I'm writing a letter to Naval ROTC.” From too far away the family celebrated the birth of grandson number 2, Scotty, in 2014.
The Army Song - US Army Chorus and Band
His last active-duty assignment was as the dual-hatted U.S. Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management at the Pentagon and the Installation Management Commanding General at Fort Sam Houston, TX. He transformed the business approach to the global installation management and programmed the $19B annual energy, general services, force protection, construction and quality of life programs for over 154 installations in the Total Army. In these roles, he traveled a lot, and since all the girls were out of the house, Karen was able to accompany him on some of these trips to speak about Spouse and Family Programs. Lieutenant General David D. Halverson retired on June 30, 2016, from the United States Army after over 37 years of service in a wonderful ceremony hosted by General Mark Milley, 39th Chief of Staff of the Army and the Old Guard. The Salute Battery passed inspection that day for sure.
American Soldier - Toby Keith
After military retirement, he became the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cypress International in Alexandria, Virginia. Cypress International is a National Security Company in Old Town Alexandria , VA and was started by a legendary Redleg, MG(R) Vern Lewis 50 years ago. He has continued to serve on various boards including the past Chairman of the Armed Services YMCA, the Youth Impact Program, West Point Army Athletics Association, the General Raymond T. Odierno Foundation, and the American Public University System.
Dave and Karen are so very proud of their family. Lindsey, Tyler, and boys live in Oklahoma City with David and Scott in middle school. Anna married Nick in 2023 and they are currently stationed in Japan. Ellen and Aaron were married in 2022 and are living post Navy lives in Cincinnati, OH.
Second Wind – Billy Joel
He served as the President, then Chairman of the US Field Artillery Association. Under his tenure at the Association, it has seen unprecedented growth and development. Many programs have been added including bringing the FA Journal back to print, the King of Battle Podcast, The FA and the First Symposium production, the US Field Artillery Hall of Fame, the annual King of Battle Virtual Race, and much more. He has set the stage for our continued growth and expanding support of the branch that has remained close to his heart. Despite being surrounded by a family of Navy women, David Halverson is, and always will be, a true Redleg.