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Which Berlin Airlift pilot showed empathy by dropping candy on tiny parachutes to children?

Gail Halvorsen, the "Candy Bomber."

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  1. Chuck Yeager
  2. Gail Halvorsen ✔
  3. Jimmy Doolittle

Why: During the Berlin Airlift, Lt. Gail Halvorsen felt for the children of Berlin. He tied candy to little handkerchief parachutes and dropped it to them. Empathy means sensing and caring about how others feel.

Huh, didn't know that: Berlin kids nicknamed him "Uncle Wiggly-Wings" because he wiggled his wings before a drop.

The dad joke
Why did the candy parachute land so gently? It was a sweet drop.
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References

Answer: Gail Halvorsen. During the Berlin Airlift, Lt. Gail Halvorsen felt for the children of Berlin. He tied candy to little handkerchief parachutes and dropped it to them. Empathy means sensing and caring about how others feel.

  1. Learn to Lead, Volume 2, Chapter 7 (Civil Air Patrol) www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/Vol2LetterLowFinal_8BDFDB373E830.pdf
    Halvorsen collected as much candy as he could find, fashioned small handkerchiefs into parachutes, and dropped treats to gleeful kids below.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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