• Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's Chocolate Pilot - Ingram
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Charlesbridge Publishing, 2010-01-07

Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's Chocolate Pilot

Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's Chocolate Pilot

Michael O Tunnell, Author

Paperback

9781580893374

$9.95 USD
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After World War II, the United States and Britain airlifted food and supplies into Russian-blockaded West Berlin. US Air Force Lieutenant Gail Halvorsen knew the children of the city were suffering, but what could one man do? Lt. Halvorsen began dropping candy that floated down to the kids by parachute. Michael O. Tunnell tells an inspiring tale of candy and courage, illustrated with Lt Halvorsens personal photographs, as well as letters and drawings from the children of Berlin to their beloved Uncle Wiggly Wings.
  • Make Way for Books Annotation

A simple act of kindness becomes a powerful symbol of hope. This compelling true story reveals how compassion and creativity can uplift a generation—even in the shadow of war. With historical clarity and emotional depth, it reminds readers that small gestures can carry great weight.

Keywords and Themes: Biography & Autobiography • Compassion • Courage • Creativity • Europe • General • Generosity • History • Hope • Inspiration • Juvenile Nonfiction • Military & Wars • Places • Resilience • Responsibility • Sacrifice • United States - 20th Century

Readability • 8.8

Age Range • 9-12

Pages • 120

Subjects • Berlin (Germany) • History • Blockade • 1948-1949 • Halvorsen • Gail S • United States • Air pilots • Military • 1945-1990

Categories • Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | General • Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Military & Wars • Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Europe • Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States - 20th Century • Juvenile Nonfiction | Places | Europe

One WWII pilot's mission to lift the spirits of children living in war-torn Berlin in 1945 comes to life in this moving middle-grade historical account. After World War II the United States and Britain airlifted food and supplies into Russian-blockaded West Berlin. US Air Force Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen knew the children of the city were suffering. To bring a bit of hope, he began dropping chocolate and chewing gum by parachute.

What began as a one-time gesture of compassion turned into an official U.S. Air Force operation. "Operation Little Vittles" grew, as more and more pilots volunteered to drop the parachutes, and donations of candy and cloth poured in from all over. This inspiring story of one man's contribution to the rebuilding of a country after war is a unique look at history.

Illustrated with archival photographs, personal photographs from Lt. Gail Halvorsen--the Chocolate Pilot--letters, and documents, Candy Bomber is an important and interesting addition to studies of World War II.

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