The Candy Bomber

Air Force lieutenant Gail Halvorsen flew supplies into Berlin during the Berlin Airlift in 1948 and '49. On one run, he met a group of children near the landing strip.
“They could speak a little English,” he recalled later. “Their clothes were patched and they hadn’t had gum and candy for two or three years. They barely had enough to eat.”

Halvorsen gave them two sticks of gum and promised to drop more candy for them the next day from his C-54. He said he’d rock his wings so that they could distinguish him from the other planes. Then he returned to the base and spent the night tying bundles of candy to handkerchief parachutes.

Not only did Halvorsen deliver he candy, but when word of his caper leaked out, Americans sent lots more candy to be dropped over Berlin. And Halvorsen did just that. Fifty years later, he encountered one of those children on a trip to Berlin, which you'll have to go to Futility Closet to read about. Link -via Fark

You can read more about Halvorsen at Wikipedia. Link

If the Airlift had happened in this PC world of ours would he be condemned for promoting bad diet and be asked to drop broccoli or arugula to the kids? Just joking(wink).
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
"Fifty years later, he encountered one of those children on a trip to Berlin, which you’ll have to go to Futility Closet to read about."

...and the man had no teeth.
Abusive comment hidden. (Show it anyway.)
Login to comment.
Click here to access all of this post's 3 comments




Email This Post to a Friend
"The Candy Bomber"

Separate multiple emails with a comma. Limit 5.

 

Success! Your email has been sent!

close window
X

This website uses cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using this website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

I agree
 
Learn More