Learn more about the Berlin Candy Bomber
Explore this unique story with highlights from the Halvorsen Heritage Center
Gail S Halvorsen Commemorative Coin - Challenge Inspire Celebrate Remember (Circa 2022) by UnknownHutchings Museum Institute
Colonel Gail Seymour Halvorsen 1920-1922
Gail Halvorsen, known as the "Berlin Candy Bomber," was a distinguished American pilot and humanitarian. Born in October 1920, he gained worldwide recognition for his selfless actions during the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949.
The Berlin Candy Bomber's beginnings
As tensions escalated in the post-World War II era, Halvorsen's simple yet profound idea of dropping candy-laden parachutes from his C-54 transport plane to the children of war-ravaged Berlin turned him into a symbol of hope and goodwill, leaving an indelible mark on history.
Halvorsen's USAF Men's Enlisted Mess Dress Uniform Medals (circa. 1950s) by United States Air ForceHutchings Museum Institute
Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen's Military Service
Selected items from his military career
Col. Gail S Halvorsen wore this best dress USAF (United States Air Force) military uniform for official and formal military events throughout his military career. Bottom right image: Halvorsen's daughter Denise Halvorsen Williams dresses mannequin with his most beloved award, the Bundesverdienstkreuz (German Service Cross to the Order of Merit)
Dog Tag belonging to Gail S. Halvorsen (circa. 1944) by United States Air ForceHutchings Museum Institute
Dog tags
Dog tags were important for military personnel to wear so they could be identified if they should lose their life during service.
Gail S. Halvorsen's dog tags
Gail Halvorsen likely wore these dog tags during his service as a USAF cargo pilot in the South Atlantic Theater from 1944-46. He would have also worn them during the Berlin Airlift 1948-49.
Blue Flat Hat with Colonel's Eagle
This hat is part of an official United States Air Force military uniform worn in more casual situations. Gail S. Halvorsen always wore a hat with his uniforms and was particular which hat he wore with which uniform. He would wear this hat with a USAF military-issue flight suit.
Gail Halvorsen, Berlin Airlift pilot, and associate
Halvorsen (right) and associate during the Berlin Airlift 1948-49, looking at maps and planning strategies for their hundreds of flights from Frankfurt to Berlin and back. Halvorsen is wearing the jacket he wore to events and speaking engagements during his 101 years of life.
Halvorsen's German Service Cross - Detail (1974) by GermanyHutchings Museum Institute
Bundesverdienstkreuz (German Service Cross)
The only federal decoration of Germany, "The Service Cross to the Order of Merit" is Gail Halvorsen's most prized medal, given to him in February 1974 by Chancellor Helmut Schmidt from the German Government in 1974.
This medal is Gail Halvorsen's most prized medal. It is "The Service Cross to the Order of Merit," given to him in February 1974 by Chancellor Helmut Schmidt from the German Government in 1974 for his excellent service to the people of Berlin while USAF commander at Tempelhof in 1970-74. He was beloved by the Berliners and all of Germany alike, and this medal represented to him the special connection he had during the Berlin Airlift and throughout the years.
Berlin Airlift Painting (circa. 1950s) by Dick KramerHutchings Museum Institute
The Candy Bomber Years
Dick Kramer's "Berlin Airlift 1948-49" painting, donated to the people of Berlin by President Reagan, courtesy of the Air Force Art Collection.
Halvorsen Preparing for a Candy Drop 1948-49
One of the iconic photos of pilot Gail S Halvorsen during the Berlin Airlift, seated on his cot in a barn near the Rhein Main airbase, tying Hershey bars to parachutes to prepare for a candy drop in Berlin.
Candy Bomber Teddy Bear
This teddy bear was created by Jeannie Andersen of Utah, one of Gail Halvorsen's care-givers. She attended to every detail of Halvorsen's favorite uniform attire. This uniform is modeled after the one he wore when he first met the children at the fence in Berlin.
Candy Bomber Woolworth Poster
Painted by Sal Asaro with kind permission of Horizon Publisher, taken from the book, "The Berlin Candy Bomber," by Gail S. Halvorsen. This poster was printed in limited edition by Woolworth on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift.
Halvorsen's 99th Birthday Card from Gail Halvorsen Schule Student Alina (2019-10) by Gail S. Halvorsen Schule in Berlin, GermanyHutchings Museum Institute
Gail Halvorsen's Enduring Legacy
The Berlin Candy B. Graveller Signed Poster (2017) by Designer UnknownHutchings Museum Institute
Berlin's Candy B. Graveller Bike Race
The Candy B. Graveller is a bike race from Frankfurt to Berlin, starting April 24, 2017 from Frankfurt. The race was dedicated to Gail S. Halvorsen for his "Candy Bombing," during the Berlin Airlift 1948-49. Signed by racers.
Hershey Commemorative Candy Bomber Wrapper
This special Hershey candy wrapper was created for Col. Gail S Halvorsen's Celebration of Life in May, 2022. Gail's death was Feb 16, 2022.
The wrappers were placed around Hershey's Candy bars by volunteers, designed by the Halvorsen Foundation, and approved by Hershey's.
Birthday cards sent to Gail Halvorsen on his 99th Birthday from elementary school students at The Gail S. Halvorsen School in Berlin, Germany. The Gail S. Halvorsen School is located in Berlin Zehlendorf and named after the famous Candy Bomber who dropped sweets for German children during the Berlin Airlift from 1948 to 1949.
Gail S. Halvorsen Portrait
Painting by local Utah artist Morgan Foshee in 2018 as part of a project on promoting unity amongst our diversity — a collection of 25 portraits of diverse people with interesting backgrounds.
Many thanks to Denise Halvorsen Williams and the Halvorsen Heritage Center for allowing us to document and share the collection.
