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Denise Williams and her late father, Gail Halvorsen, who was known as "the Candy Bomber" for dropping sweets and necessities to starving Germans in Berlin following World War II via the Berlin Airlift.2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.To the world, Gail Halvorsen is remembered as the “Candy Bomber,” commander, aviator, spacecraft engineer and scholar. As a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Halvorsen was dedicated to serving his country and sharing his “life lessons learned” with those around him.
Since before her father’s death in 2022, Halvorson’s daughter Denise Williams and her siblings have faced the task of upholding and carrying on his legacy.
Calling it her “sacred responsibility,” Williams has taken it upon herself to organize and distribute Halvorsen’s documents and belongings to different historical organizations. She also attends conferences and events where her father once spoke, sharing his story and his legacy of faith and Christlike service.
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Elder and Sister Williams standing in a local Latter-day Saint Chapel in Hannover, Germany.2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Williams and her husband, David, currently serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Hamburg Germany Mission. Stationed in Hannover, Germany, the couple is assigned to serve the young adult population and assist in the local congregation, continuing Halvorsen’s mission of service and compassion.
For Elder and Sister Williams, helping the German people is not merely a chapter in family history but a continuation of Halvorsen’s lasting impact.
Following World War II, Germany lay in ruins, and animosity towards Germans was widespread. In the midst of this distrust, the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin in June 1948. This led the United Kingdom and United States to initiate the Berlin Airlift to provide resources for the 2.5 million starving Berliners.
Many allied soldiers harbored anger towards Germans, including Gail Halvorsen, who had lost a friend in the war. Halverson was surprised when he was received with hands outstretched and tears of gratitude from the German men at his first airlift delivery.
Williams recalls her father’s words: “It was in that moment that I forgave in my heart all the anger that I had previously had. Why did that happen? How was it possible? It was because we were on the same mission to help save people.”
This interaction inspired the conversation that led to the famous candy drop initiative Halverson is known for.
The Williamses explained that Halvorsen’s story is “a story of forgiveness; … a gospel story, not just a story about a war hero.” Halvorsen “was a man of Christ, a man of faith, and he reflected the light of Christ into other people’s lives,” added David Williams.
In his first interaction with the German people during the Berlin Airlift, Halvorsen saw the Germans as individuals he could help and bless, rather than former enemies. This perspective of compassion and service is the foundation of Halvorsen’s legacy — a legacy that Denise and David Williams have committed to keep alive.