This was a most interesting fireside as Lt Gail Halvorsen who is a member of the church and who served in WWII as a pilot gave us a talk on his experiences during the war. Between the years of 1948 and 1949, Berlin was reeling from the devastation of the war and was under a Russian blockade. It left the people with no where to stay and very little food to eat. During this time Lt. Halvorsen was impressed with how friendly and enthusiastic the German children were. He wanted to do something special for them so he saved all of his candy and gum and attached them to little cloth parachutes and when he did his fly overs he would drop them in to the Town of Berlin. The children knew who he was because he would wiggle his wings before dropping the sweets. He acquired the nic name of Uncle Wiggly Wings and Raisin Bomber. His buddies caught his giving spirit and they also saved all of their candy and gum. After a while it was known as "Operation Little Vittles." Back in the states The American Confectioners Association got word of the Operation and asked Lt. Halvorsen how much candy and gum he would need? They sent tons of candy and gum to Westover AFB for processing. 22 schools in Massachusetts converted an old fire station into a Little Vittles headquarters. They made parachutes, tied on candy or gum and sent the finished product to Lt. Halvorsen at Rhine Main AFB.
Lt Halvorsen and other pilots dropped the candy all over East Berlin until the Russians told them to stop, but that didn't stop him, he would drop them only if he saw a group of children away from the city. By 1949 he had dropped more than 250,000 parachutes bringing joy to nearly 100,000 children of Berlin.
As news spread to the US, the Government and Lt Halvorsen were chosen to receive the Cheney Award for the year of 1948. "For an act of Valor, Extreme Fortitude, or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest." Candy was also sent to children in schools nad hospitals . He is now 90 years old and his mind is still sharp as a tack. He remembers every detail. He said he loved walking in the city and seeing the children. They never begged but were proud and had an air of fortitude and gratefulness that he was impressed with. He said he was not the hero, it was the 31 American and 29 British pilots who gave their lives.
He was born in Garland, Utah and grew up there. He was married for many years and went on two couples missions. To England and to Russia. He made a very poignant statement. "The Dead Sea is dead because it wraps its arms around all fresh water and it dies." He liked that to service to others. If we do not give to others and only take, we will eventually die a spiritual death. He loves to give service. He says he has, since he was a small boy. It was a beautiful story to hear and amazing how one person can create a miracle of service.
Uncle Wiggley was interviewed on the History Channel a few years ago. Very impressive. As I recall the story, he was eventually barred from continuing the candy drops.
ReplyDeleteThe Russian Government accused the kids of trampling down a cemetery in order to get the candy so they told him he could not drop any more, however, he did keep dropping candy but only away from the City of Berlin and only when he saw a group of kids.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. This was during the Berlin Airlift, when the supply of food to Berlin from the West was cut off and our Air Force ferried over supplies. The "Candy Bomber" added a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteThis story really touched me because he gave the children something that they wanted as opposed to something they needed. I don't know why but it meant more to me than if he had dropped soap or toothpaste.
ReplyDeleteHe is the cutest guy in person even at his age. I guess his wife has been gone for a few years and he has his daughter accompany him when he goes on fireside runs. He has a strong testimony.
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