THE 'CANDY BOMBER' TARGETED CHILDREN AFTER WWII
War is a violent, barbaric action that becomes necessary from time to time. Even after peace is established, especially before modern communication methods were available, the carnage could spill over after peace is declared. But there's no justification for someone bombing children three years later unless you’re the Candy Bomber. During the Berlin Airlift, Gail Halvorsen was given a special mission known as “Operation Little Vittles.” The mission’s objective was to drop candy to German children from the sky. It was here that the Candy Bomber would come to be known across the country. More like this:Vanilla or Chocolate? The WWII Ice Cream Ship Delivered Sweets at Sea
Who Was the Candy Bomber?
Gail Seymour Halvorsen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. While he would come to be known by many monikers, including “Uncle Wiggly Wings,” "The Chocolate Uncle," "The Chocolate Flier," and "The Gum Drop Kid," Halvorsen’s most famous nickname was the “Berlin Candy Bomber.” During the Berlin Airlift, the Candy Bomber dropped candy from his aircraft for German children trying to make sense of a war-torn country. During his operations in the area, Halvorsen the Candy Bomber would drop over 250,000 parachutes with candy to those below in West Berlin, totaling 23 tons of sweet treats. For his efforts, the Candy Bomber received the Congressional Gold Medal, among many other awards, for his role in the operation and service. The Candy Bomber’s plane was a Douglas C-54 airplane. Halvorsen’s efforts brought cheer to a desolate region and in turn were how the "Candy Bomber" left a lasting legacy in Cold War Germany. His humanitarian mission would leave a permanent mark, but it wouldn’t be the last time Halvorsen would help serve his fellow man.
American Chocolate Creates a Black Market
American chocolate was adored by Europeans. Various candies would become part of the rations given to troops. This includes M&Ms, which were created specifically for the task of providing troops with chocolate treats that wouldn’t melt while in their pockets or hands. D-rations provided the sweet taste of freedom through U.S. military chocolate to troops overseas, but some would give it away to locals, as well as other candies, gums, and cigarettes. It became common for children to ask American GIs for their chocolate during this time. It even got to the point that following a French newspaper reporting on the trend, Belgian papers would talk down on those looking to profit from the exchange. Many locals were beginning to hassle American troops, and there were even ads for French-to-English dictionaries aimed at those looking to make deals for chocolates. Soon, food shortages would affect Germany, and rations would run low. This meant a black market for food would also develop. American troops would use this as an opportunity to make a quick buck by selling their chocolates as well as other items sought by locals.
Is the Candy Bomber Still Alive?
On February 16, 2022, at the age of 101, the Candy Bomber passed away. After living a long life that touched the lives of countless people, he was laid to rest in the Provo City Cemetery in Provo, Utah. Halvorsen was known for dropping candy in West Berlin, but his military career serving in both the U.S. Army Air Forces and the U.S. Air Force spanned over 30 years from 1942 until 1974, when he achieved the rank of Colonel. During his time, Col. Halvorsen would go on to complete many different humanitarian missions and drop candy throughout many different countries, even after his service. Notably, Halvorsen would drop candy below through a reenactment of his infamous Berlin run in 1989. Members of the crowd included grandkids of those who received chocolates from him decades before. As incredibly terrible as war and its effects are, the Candy Bomber reminds us that there's still good in mankind. His service was admirable through not only his defense of America but his defense of the human spirit to bring cheer when it was needed the most to vulnerable children just trying to make sense of growing up far too quickly. Related read:How the Original Twinkie Flavor Was Changed Forever Thanks to WWII
Image: Hersheyland