This jacket is dedicated to Air Force Col. Gail Seymour Halvorsen
History: During the airlift, in which the Allies flew more than 2.3 million tons of coal, flour and food from Rhein-Main Airbase in Frankfurt to a Berlin that was cut off by a Soviet land blockade, Halvorsen was struck by the joy a few sticks of gum brought to a handful of children. So he promised the children he would deliver them candy.
He began attaching his and his co-pilots’ rations of candy and gum to handkerchief parachutes and dropping them from his plane. After three secret candy drops, Halvorsen’s troubles began when his boss read about his mission in the newspaper. The colonel called Halvorsen to the carpet. He yelled at him a bit and then told him to continue.
Over the next 15 months, as he and other pilots dropped 23 tons of candy, Halvorsen got the Uncle Wiggly Wings nickname because he would wiggle his plane’s wings to signal his approach. This aircraft “Rosinenbomber” Douglas C-54 can be seen at the “Aerial Bridge Monument” close to Frankfurt am Main airport (Germany).
© Private collection G.S. Halvorsen
© Private collection G.S. Halvorsen
Rocka’s crafted nametag and leather patch
