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 Gail Halvorsen was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grew up on small farms in Utah and Idaho. He earned a private pilot license under the non-college Civilian Pilot Training program in September of 1941. Almost concurrently Gail joined the Civil Air Patrol as a pilot. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in June 1942. Fighter pilot training was with the Royal Air Force after which he was returned to the Army Air Corps and was assigned flight duty in foreign transport operations in the South Atlantic Theater. After WWII he flew in the Berlin Airlift where he became known as "Uncle Wiggly Wings", the "Chocolate Flyer" and the "Berlin Candy Bomber." The blockade of Berlin began in June 1948 and ended 12 May 1949. Flights continued until 30 September 1949 to build up reserves.
Col. Halvorsen belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been a Stake President, Bishop, High Councilman, and served in other callings.
Gail married Alta Jolley of Zion National Park on 16 April 1949. They have five children, 24 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Three of their grandchildren have attended a school named for him in Frankfurt, Germany.
Approaching 50 years of marriage, Alta died in January 1999. Gail is now married to his high school steady from 62 years ago, Lorraine Pace, who has three children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They presently live on their farm in Spanish Fork, Utah. Winters are at Lorraine's place in Arizona.
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