bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Gail Halvorsen's kindness shined a light through the postwar misery.
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The "Berlin Candy Bomber" "Uncle Wiggly Wings" dies.
- Thread starter bigwheelzip
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My dad had medals from serving in France and Germany during the war but he said he was proudest of the one he got for the airlift. He was an in-flight mechanic and candy bomber on a C-47. He served as such for the entire duration of the campaign.
He would often speak of the children's faces and then choke up a bit.
It was a Herculean, humanitarian undertaking. America at its finest.
He would often speak of the children's faces and then choke up a bit.
It was a Herculean, humanitarian undertaking. America at its finest.
Gail Halverson flew a B-24 over my home at about 500’ on his way to drop candy at a 4th of July demonstration at our local park. About five years ago. Very cool.
There are some clips of Halvorsen in this song, Glorious, sung by David Archuleta, and the movie Meet the Mormons has much more footage and an interview with this great man. Worth watching, no matter what you believe.
David Archuleta: GLORIOUS from Meet the Mormons - YouTube
There are some clips of Halvorsen in this song, Glorious, sung by David Archuleta, and the movie Meet the Mormons has much more footage and an interview with this great man. Worth watching, no matter what you believe.
David Archuleta: GLORIOUS from Meet the Mormons - YouTube
OP
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Obit: Gail Halvorsen, U.S. pilot who dropped candy — not bombs
U.S. military pilot Gail S. Halvorsen — known as the “Candy Bomber” for his candy airdrops during the Berlin airlift after World War II ended — has died at 101.
LA Times article here (and a lot of other places)
U.S. military pilot Gail S. Halvorsen — known as the “Candy Bomber” for his candy airdrops during the Berlin airlift after World War II ended — has died at 101.
LA Times article here (and a lot of other places)
...According to his account on the foundation’s website, Halvorsen had mixed feelings about the mission to help the United States’ former enemy after losing friends during the war.
But his attitude changed, and his new mission was launched, after meeting a group of children behind a fence at Templehof airport.
He offered them the two pieces of gum that he had, broken in half, and was touched to see those who got the gum sharing pieces of the wrapper with the other children, who smelled the paper. He promised to drop enough for all of them the following day, wiggling the wings of his plane as he flew over the airport, Halvorsen recalled.
He started doing so regularly, using his own candy ration, with handkerchiefs as parachutes to carry them to the ground. Soon other pilots and crews joined in what would be dubbed “Operation Little Vittles.”...
But his attitude changed, and his new mission was launched, after meeting a group of children behind a fence at Templehof airport.
He offered them the two pieces of gum that he had, broken in half, and was touched to see those who got the gum sharing pieces of the wrapper with the other children, who smelled the paper. He promised to drop enough for all of them the following day, wiggling the wings of his plane as he flew over the airport, Halvorsen recalled.
He started doing so regularly, using his own candy ration, with handkerchiefs as parachutes to carry them to the ground. Soon other pilots and crews joined in what would be dubbed “Operation Little Vittles.”...
Earlier tonight I told mom about his passing. Her thoughts instantly turned to dad and how detailed and touching his stories were about his experiences.
We both got misty.
We both got misty.
