[1] He participated in the first major engagement of the Spanish–American War, the 1898 Battle of Manila Bay, as a seaman aboard the USS Boston.
In the early morning hours of September 15, with the storm still raging, the ship's anchor began to drag.
As they were doing this, a large wave crashed over the deck, scattering the men and washing one youthful sailor, Ordinary Seaman Cecil C. Young, overboard.
Halling and another man, Boatswain's Mate First Class Alexander Peters, jumped into the stormy water and swam towards Young.
Wearing oilskins and heavy boots, Young sank beneath the waves and drowned before Halling and Peters could reach him.