news report on the death of Mason Halsey, a US Naval Academy senior who passed away on January 1, 2024:
Mason Halsey Obituary and Death: A 22-year-old senior at the US Naval Academy, passed away on January 1, 2024, at his home in Gulfport, Mississippi. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation, and the US Naval Academy has released a statement expressing their condolences and support for Mason’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Mason was a member of the USNA class of 2024, majoring in political science, and was also a member of the coed cheer team. He was known for his Southern drawl, strong views, and respect for others’ opinions. Mason was an excellent student and had a passion for serving his country, following in the footsteps of his father, Thane Halsey, a retired command master chief.
Mason’s death has sent shockwaves through the US Naval Academy community, with many of his peers and instructors expressing their condolences and remembering him as a kind, compassionate, and dedicated individual. The US Naval Academy has announced that they will be holding a memorial service for Mason, and his family has requested that donations be made in his name to the US Naval Academy Foundation.
Mason is survived by his parents, Thane and Carla Halsey, his brother Trevon Halsey and girlfriend Jeannie Downs, and his sister Caitlin and husband Jeffry Howell. He is also survived by his grandparents, Dallas and Paulette Hays and Anna Halsey, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The investigation into Mason’s death is ongoing, and the US Naval Academy has promised to release more information as it becomes available. In the meantime, Mason’s family and friends are left to mourn the loss of a bright and promising young man who had so much to offer the world.
Mason’s legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched during his time at the US Naval Academy, and his memory will be cherished by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit and dedication to serving his country will continue to inspire others to follow in his footsteps.
In addition to his academic and athletic achievements, Mason was also a member of the USNA co-ed spirit team and bodybuilding team. He held several positions during his time at the Academy, including Company Wardroom and Supply Officer, Weapons Detail Rifle Commander, and Squad Leader.
Mason’s family has a long history of military service, with his father, Thane Halsey, serving as a command master chief in the US Navy. Mason’s grandfather, Dale Halsey, also served in the US Navy, and his great-grandfather, William “Bull” Halsey, was a famous US Navy admiral who served during World War II.
Mason’s death is the latest in a series of tragic incidents involving US Naval Academy midshipmen. In July 2022, Midshipman Second Class Luke Gabriel Bird died while visiting Chile for a semester abroad program. In June 2022, Midshipman First Class Taylor Connors died in Philadelphia with family at his bedside. And in 2022, former midshipman Enrique “Ricky” Castellon-Davis died in a subway accident in New Jersey.
The US Naval Academy has promised to do everything in its power to support Mason’s family and friends during this difficult time, and to ensure that his memory is honored and remembered for years to come.
Mason’s funeral service was held on January 9, 2024, at Riemann Family Funeral Home in Gulfport, with burial at Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Mason’s name to the US Naval Academy Foundation.
In conclusion, Mason Halsey’s death is a tragic loss for the US Naval Academy community and his family and friends. He was a bright and promising young man who had so much to offer the world, and his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched during his time at the Academy.
