Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Col Gail S. Halvorsen
(1920 - )
— Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame Inductee - 1999 —
Photographed By Thomas Smith, October 5, 2021
1. Col Gail S. Halvorsen Marker
Inscription.
Col Gail S. Halvorsen. During the Berlin Airlift, also called Operation Vittles, he instituted operation Little Vittles by dropping small parachutes laden with candy from his C-54 aircraft to the children of Berlin, while motivating Berliners to never give up hope, his self initiated act of kindness which earned him the nickname "Candy Bomber" also became a symbol of U.S. resolve during the Cold War. Receiving in 1949 the prestigious Cheney award for his actions during the Berlin Airlift, he has continued to serve as a national ambassador of goodwill for airlifters he epitomizes their humanitarian spirit and continues to inspire us all to serve others.
During the Berlin Airlift, also called Operation Vittles, he instituted operation Little Vittles by dropping small parachutes laden with candy from his C-54 aircraft to the children of Berlin, while motivating Berliners to never give up hope, his self initiated act of kindness which earned him the nickname "Candy Bomber" also became a symbol of U.S. resolve during the Cold War. Receiving in 1949 the prestigious Cheney award for his actions during the Berlin Airlift, he has continued to serve as a national ambassador of goodwill for airlifters he epitomizes their humanitarian spirit and continues to inspire us all to serve others.
Erected 1999 by Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame.
Location. 38° 32.412′ N, 89° 51.822′ W. Marker is in Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, in St. Clair County. Marker is on Main Street just east of Symington Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Heritage Dr, Scott Air Force Base IL 62225, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
