Obituary by Dr. John Provan
A legacy has passed, of a man who moved the spirits and hearts of humanity with a simple gesture of dropping candy. COL Gail Halvorsen, retired, passed away on 16. Feb. at 20:45 hours, in Provo, Utah.
Gail Seymore Halvorsen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 10, 1920. He grew up a devote Morman, which may have explained his fundamental Christian belief, that he attempted to fulfil during his entire life, of helping those in need.
He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps to become a pilot in 1943. In 1948, he volunteered to come to Germany and serve in the Berlin Airlift. He was stationed at Rhein-Main Air Base, and managed to find an empty bunk in the old stables located across the Autobahn.
One day, while his aircraft was being repaired, Gail had the opportunity to walk along the fence of Tempelhof Air Base in Berlin, to discover the many children watching the operation proceed. The faces of these children were marred by years of war, hunger and cold. They watched as their former “enemy” now undertook the Herculean task of supplying two million Berliners by air. These children did not beg; they did not ask for anything; they simply stood watching; and for Gail it was disheartening that he only had two pieces of gum in his pocket to share with them. At that moment, he came up with an idea of dropping candy while on final approach. He told the children to be here along the fence again tomorrow and that they will recognize his airplane when he wiggled his wings (an old greeting amongst the pilots of World War One).
Without asking permission, or obtaining authority, nor funding; upon his return to Rhein-Main, he simply purchased some candy at the PX (Post Exchange) and a hand full of handkerchiefs, with which he then made into small parachutes. The following day, he opened the small window of his C-54 and began to throw out parachutes with candy attached. Day after day, the number of children waiting along this fence grew and before long the Commander of Tempelhof AB, discovered what Halverson had been doing. His actions were met with much disapproval since the Chain of Command had been not only overlooked, but several military regulations broken. Still, how can you punish a man for doing good? Airlift Headquarters in Wiesbaden quickly took over the idea and it exploded into a large scale operation with children back State-side raising money, buying candy and sending it to Rhein-Main. The wives of soldiers produced a steady flow of small parachutes, which were filled with this candy. Daily Gail and other pilots made their “drops” over Berlin, in what became known as “Operation Little Vittles”. The Berlin kids would return the “used” parachutes to MPs, (Military Police) who made sure that the pilots brought them back to Rhein-Main, to be “refilled”. Although “Uncle Wiggly Wings” had PCSed back home, before the airlift had ended, his operation continued, not before some 23 tons of candy had been “delivered”.
Years later, COL Halvorsen returned to Berlin, to become Commander of Tempelhof AB, between 1970 and 1974.
He retired from the U.S. Air Force in August 1974, returned to his ranch in Utah, raising horses. He moved to Amado, AZ, where he enjoyed the wilderness, and later to Provo, Utah.
Although honours and medals are only symbolic gestures of gratitude, Halvorsen received many. In 1949, he received the prestigious Cheney Award. Amongst his military awards, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Medal for Humane Action. In 1974, he was given Germany’s highest award, the large Bundes Verdienst Kreuz. He was inducted into the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame as well as the Airlift/Tanker Hall of Fame. During the 2002 Olympic Games, that were held in his home State of Utah, the German delegation ask that he carry the sign “Germany” during the opening ceremonies. The City of Berlin, made him an honorary citizen in 2008 and he was the honorary President of the Luftbrücke Frankfurt – Berlin 1948/49 organization in Frankfurt, which he last visited in 2019.
His legacy
In 2004, Gail attempted to organize a similar project for the children in Iraq, during the War on Terrorism. With the financial backing of several companies and aid organizations, Gail’s efforts were short-lived, when the U.S. Army denied permission for such an undertaking.
Perhaps the world has changed, with the concern of individual safety being more important than humanitarian good. The world has become more bureaucratic and individual decisions and efforts more frowned upon than ever before.
The legacy of Gail Halvorsen will be remembered much longer than the heroism of any single soldier, who fought in any war. He never claimed fame unto himself, and always stated, he was just one of the many pilots that made the Berlin Airlift a success. But it was his personnel actions, fulfilling a very American belief, based upon our Christian foundations; of helping of our brothers in need; that allowed this simple man to move mountains. After the Berlin Airlift, Germans no longer viewed the Americans as a victorious Army of Occupation; rather we became allies and friends, whose relationship and cooperation have grown steadily ever since. No politician nor General, could have accomplished this feat, with such little effort, as did “Uncle Wiggly Wings”. Every individual can take a good idea and run with it. For every good deed we do, we shall be remembered.
No greater Monument stands for any individual, than the countless hearts this man touched, including mine. Enclosed is a photo of Gail, at the Steinkopf, near Königstein, in 2016, dedicating a small monument at the site, where the first pilots where killed during the Berlin Airlift, in 1948.
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Thank you for this wonderful tribute. I teach third grade in California and I always teach my students about The Candy Bomber. His actions represent the true American spirit. I hope my students will be inspired to do their own acts of kindness to others, as well as learn some exciting history that is not in their textbooks!
Thank You Kaiser Willys for honoring one of our national treasures, Colonel Gail Halvorsen a WW2 veteran, who is a shining example of all the good and difference one man can make. A historic military vehicles procession will be honoring our Colonel this Tuesday February 22, in Provo, Utah. Freedomvehicles.org, Utah Military History Group, Gartforvets.org are honored to provide such a salute. Additionally, for those in the Salt Lake City area, Colonel Halvorsen will be honored and remembered with a large memorial lunch in being planned in Sandy, Utah. For details please contact Captain Montefusco at thecaptain@gartforvets.org
These were/are truly remarkable people! RIP COL….
In the late 1990s, when I was living in Frankfurt Germany, we lined up at the Rhein Main Airbase by invitation and met Col. Halverson. We climber up the stairs of an old bomber which was very fitting and there he was, sitting there waiting to greet us all. Not sure if it was his original bomber .
He was a terrific person and I really had a chance to talk to him as I knew his history very well.
I think we all bought his book he signed on the spot for us about the Berlin candy runs. What a lovely man he was. Very sad he has left us. There are lot of grown up German children that will never forget this man. His enthusiasm when telling us about his flights into Berlin was genuine as if it was yesterday, his stories were fascinating.
I love to look at his book from time to time and cant believe that I had the chance to sit and listen to him.
I am Australian and my father was with the Australian Airforce in New Guinea during WW2. Even down here in Australia we know all about the Candy Bomber. He will live in our hearts forever.
Namaskar
A true soldier and a humble human being.Like a diamond in the sky.
What a good story about the American service men bring smiles on the kids faces dureing war time. It reminds me of Christmas 1970-71 in Di An ,Viet Nam. Bob Hope came to Long bihn. We were invited to go see him. Instead we invited the worker to bring kids on base.So we could give them a Christmas. We couldn,t buy toys to give the kids. Their wasn,t any.So what we did was get candy and had a big cook out for the steak and the works. When they started to leave. We gave the kids beer. To sale along the road.So they could make money to buy food. As the kids were walking away. Our co came by and stopped the kids and talked to them,.Then he made them walk back to us and point out .Who gave the kids beer. Then he asked us swhy we gave kids beer? We explained to him and he looked at the kids and told them to stay. He walked over and got more beer and gave the give and told them.We should have gave them more. The kids smiled and thanked us. I,ll never forget that Christmas. It was one we gave to the ones who really needed help and fed them good. Thank you Col for a great job of making the kids happy.–3/17 Air Cav,1st Aviation H/Trp-Di An,Viet Nam-70-71
Thank you for posting this. It was acts of kindness like this to a former enemy that turned them into an ally. Acts like this are still being carried out by American servicemen and women around the world. Col. Halverson has a place in history that hopefully will not soon be forgotten.
RIP Col. and thank you
Hi
That is beautiful response Paul. Thank you and Gail for all you have done.
Bob
Col.Halverson,you will be missed by many. I too served Germany and a lot of us flightline personnel did give candy to children. I did not know this story fully ,and you sir, are a great gentleman with a huge heart, I am sure God has a special place in heaven for you for all the good you brought those children, and to your fellow Airman for doing so much more than a simple act of kindness . .
Great tribute to a genuine hero and example to follow. Thank you and God bless.
Great story of a true American Hero.Salute!
A true example of the old expression “ Don’t ask for permission, ask for forgiveness.” When creative ideas are stiffed by bureaucrats everyone loses.
Rest In Peace “Uncle Wiggly Wings, your life was truly well lived. AMEN
A great story!!!!
Sounds like he was a great man!!!