Col. Gail Halvorsen of Berlin Airlift and 'Little Vittles' Fame Gone at 102 Years

Colonel Gail Halvorsen, famous for his role in originating the morale-boosting 'candy bombing' operation during the early days of the cold war, has passed away peacefully at 102 years of age, surrounded by generations of his family after a brief illness. 

In 1948, when tensions between the allies ran high over who would retain possession over Berlin, Halvorsen's habit of dropping small parcels of treats to children below grew to a full-fledged aerial resupply mission to prevent the city from becoming a Soviet hostage. The Berlin Airlift became one of the earliest nonviolent victories of the allies in their decades-long rivalry with the soviet powers. 

His duties as a pilot flying the C-54 Skymaster over the cratered, barren wastes of bombed-out Berlin brought to mind the difficulties faced by those German citizens, mostly women and children, struggling to survive amid tenuous supply lines while surrounded by a hostile Soviet regime. After speaking with local children while stationed in a farmhouse loft, he noticed the rarity of candy in the area after seeing them portion out empty gum wrappers just to enjoy the scent.

As he returned to land near the airport, he would drop small bundles of treats with a makeshift handkerchief parachute, which quickly grew to begin Operation Little Vittles, an effort that saw more than 20 tons of chocolate, gum and treats delivered to the children of occupied Berlin over a 14-month period, much of it dropped out the back of a C-54. 

Halvorsen's efforts became a timeless tale of human interest, illustrating humanity and kindness even in the aftermath of years in combat against one another. His efforts became a tradition of the Air Mobility Command, where a mission of mercy takes place every 90 seconds somewhere around the globe.

Eventually, a charity organization was made in his name, the Gail S. Halvorsen Aviation Education Foundation. The foundation offers resources for students in STEM programs, Civil Air Patrol activities, and aviation. They work with community programs around Halverson's home in the Spanish Fork, Utah area to inspire the next generation of aviators while passing on his core humanitarian values. 

FMI: www.thecandybomber.org