08/30/2026
🇺🇲WWII uncovered: Honoring Gail S. Halvorsen: US Army Air Corps: The "Berlin Candy Bomber"
In 1942 Gail Halvorsen, a native of Salt Lake City Utah, joined the United States Army Air Forces as an aviator. During the war he flew C-54 cargo planes in the South Atlantic, stationed in Natal, Brazil.
According to the Desert News Group: "After the war ended in 1945, Halvorsen remained in the service, choosing to make the US Air Force his career. His proficiency flying the C-54 resulted in his being assigned to the yearlong Berlin airlift that began in July of 1948 in a divided Germany. Halvorsen was one of dozens of pilots assigned to transport food, clothing and other necessities from air bases in West Germany to citizens living in the western sector of Berlin."
After meeting a group of children at the end of a runway at the West Berlin Airport, Halvorsen began a mission to bring a small bit of joy into the lives of these young survivors. Gail Halvorsen would come to be known as the "Berlin Candy Bomber" by some and "Uncle Wiggly Wings" by others but by all accounts this hero made a lifetime impression on many of the children of West Berlin. Gail earned the nickname because he wiggled his wings in flight so the children would know it was him. This operation of goodwill would come to be known as "Operation Little Vittles."
"When news of the Berlin Candy Bomber filtered back to America, the story met with considerable interest and attention. Halvorsen and his squadmates were flooded with cards and letters of support. National candy companies contributed candy and other confections that were collected in Massachusetts and sent to Germany. In 1949 Halvorsen received the Cheney Award, given by the Air Force to recognize humanitarian action, from General Hoyt S. Vandenberg for the inception of Operation "Little Vittles".
On April 16, 1949 Gail married Alta Jolley in Las Vegas Nevada. The couple had five children. Halvorsen earned his Master's degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and worked in research and development at various bases in the US and abroad from 1952 to 1970. Gail retired from service in 1974 with the rank of Colonel. In 1976 he served as the Assistant Dean of Student Life at Brigham Young University - a title which he held for 10 years.
After the passing of his wife Alta on January 25, 1999 Gail remained in Utah. Five years later he married Lorraine Pace and the couple resided on their family farm in Spanish Fork Utah.
Gail S. Halvorsen passed away on Wednesday February 16, 2022 at the age of 101 years old. He lies in rest at Provo Cemetery in Provo Utah.
Please join us at WWII uncovered in remembering the life of Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen - aviator, humanitarian and World War II veteran. A grateful nation thanks you for a lifetime of service. Lest We Forget.
WWII uncovered ©️ original description and photos sourced by: Desert News Lee Benson author January 17, 2022, National US Air Force Museum, Isaac Hale | The Daily Herald via AP and The Office of the Governor of Utah (Fair Use Photos)
