CPL Theodore Magnus Hatle, Sisseton, SD on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

"Teddy" Hatle was born in Sisseton, Roberts County, South Dakota, to Theodore and Louise (Keeble) Hatle. He is remembered for his sense of humor. Theodore graduated Sisseton High School in 1964 where he was very proud of his perfect attendance. He was liked by everyone and was very quiet and soft spoken.

After high school, he went to California where he attended electronics school in Oakland for two years. Then he worked at Westland Life Insurance Company in San Francisco.

Theodore entered active service on September 17, 1968, at Sioux Falls, and received his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. He began his tour of Vietnam on February 9, 1969. Five months later, at the age of 22, he was killed in action.

DoD records show that he was killed during a chance meeting engagement 8 kilometers northwest of Tien Phouc. He was part of E Company's Reconaissance Platoon when they came into contact. Sent in support of the platoon was B Company, 4/31st and they lost two men in the engagement. The 3 men lost in this contact were:

His body was returned to the United States under the military escort of a family member, SP/4 Ralph Keeble, now deceased. Teddy was buried with military honors at the Veteran's Circle in the Sisseton Cemetery.

Theodore was survived by his mother, Louise Gill, Salt Lake City, Utah, an older half-brother, James Shields, Rochester, Minnesota, three half-sisters (two from a previous marriage), Bonita 'Bonnie' Victorian Makinson, Sioux Falls and Sandra Victorian Jarvela, Renton, WA, and one from a later marriage following Teddy's father's death, Donna Gill Sitake, Salt Lake City.

Teddy is buried in Sisseton Cemetery as is his mother, Louise Gertrude Keeble Victorian Hatle Gill (1910-2008). His father, Theodore Magnus Hatle (1899-1963) is buried in Saron Lutheran Cemetery, Roslyn, South Dakota.