RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany, Sept. 9 -- The U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa issued the following press release:
When Soviet forces severed all land and water routes into West Berlin in June 1948, allied aircrews and ground teams launched an around-the-clock lifeline known as Operation Vittles. Among the C-54 Skymaster pilots flying the allied supply bridge was U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Gail S. Halvorsen.
During a turnaround at Tempelhof Airport, Halvorsen met German children gathered along the fence line. Instead of begging for rations, they urged the Americans to keep flying. Moved by their resilience, Halvorsen shared the only food he had with him - two sticks of gum. Watching the children split the pieces and share the ...