Col Gail S. Halvorsen

Dec 25, 2017 | Air Force, Army

Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen, or, “The Berlin Candy Bomber” served as a catalyst for this operation. As America geared up for the looming world war, Halvorsen was awestruck with the planes he saw flying while he labored on his father’s sugar beet farm...

WASP Betty Gillies

Dec 24, 2017 | Air Force

The first pilot to qualify for the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron was Betty Huyler Gillies of Syosset, Long Island, New York. She entered the WAFS on September 12, 1942. Gillies at this time had 14 years of flying experience, running up a total of 1400...

Capt Alexander Rafalovich

Dec 22, 2017 | Air Force

Alex was from San Pedro, California. He was assigned to the 4th Fighter Group, 334th Squadron in February 1943 while they were still flying Spitfires. As they were converting to P-47 Thunderbolts the squadron was off operations for 45 days, so Alex took a short leave...

Capt Elmer John Gedeon

Dec 21, 2017 | Air Force, Army

Elmer J Gedeon – nephew of former major league infielder Joe Gedeon, University of Michigan three-sport athlete and major league outfielder – was born in Cleveland, Ohio on April 15, 1917. He and cousin Bob used to ice skate together at Brookside Park in...

Col Thomas George Lanphier, Jr.

Dec 19, 2017 | Air Force

He was born on November 27, 1915 in Panama City, Panama. He married Phyllis of Boise, Idaho and had 5 children. He studied journalism at Stanford University and graduated in January 1941. He completed his pilot training at Stockton Army Air Field, California on...