FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: The Berlin Airlift, Part 4, The Legecy ~ December 26, 2011

Serving the Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Part 4, The Legecy
All info and photos from this website.

Link to Part 1
Link to Part 2
Link to Part 3

           

THE AIRLIFT'S LEGACY
 

The most obvious result of this confrontation was the 40-year Cold War with the Soviet Union, which ebbed with the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts.  The US also forged a newfound friendship with Germany, its former foe, and established the Federal Republic of Germany as a result.  In addition, the North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) was formed as a result of the crisis. 

Less politically, our aircraft and airway system we enjoy today was developed and perfected as a result of the Berlin Airlift.  Ground Controlled Approach or GCA was greatly improved as a necessity for the aircraft to land in Berlin, and our air traffic control system is a direct development of that technology.  Loading procedures and maintenance procedures are greatly improved as a result, too.

More importantly, the Berlin Airlift demonstrated the military need for Air Transport in addition to Bombers and Fighters.  A result is the Air Mobility Command and aircraft like the C-141 Starlifter, the C-130 Hercules, the C-5 Galaxy, and our newest transport, the C-17 Globemaster III. 

All of these political and logistical ideas came as a result of the resolve of the US, Great Britain, France, and Germany to resist totalitarian tactics and wage a battle of air transport.  This battle saved over 2.5 million people without firing a single shot.  In a matter of fifteen months in 1948-49, world history was changed by the greatest humanitarian aviation event in history, the Berlin Airlift. 

MEMORIALS: The Airlift Memorial at Rhein Main Air Base, Frankfurt, and on Luftbruckenplatz at Tempelhf  Airport in Berlin.

Each prong represents one of the 3 air corridors used during "Operation Vittles", and the names of the US and British Airmen killed in the process are inscribed on the base of each.

31 Americans lost their lives during the Berlin Airlift, paying the ultimate price for the freedom of others.  Let that not be forgotten.

1st Lt George B. Smith Tuscaloosa, Alabama	Captain James A. Vaughan New Haven, Connecticut	Cpl Norbert H. Theis Cunningham, Kansas
1st Lt Leland V. Williams Abilene, Texas	1st Lt Eugene S. Erickson Collinsville, Illinois	PFC Ronald E. Stone  Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
Mr Karl V. Hagen New York, New York	Sgt Richard Winter Seattle, Washington	1st Lt Ralph H. Boyd Fort Worth, Texas
1st Lt Charles H. King Britton, South Dakota	Captain Billy E. Phelps Long Beach, California	1st Lt Craig B. Ladd Minneapolis, Minnesota
1st Lt Robert W. Stuber Arlington, California	1st Lt Willis F. Hargis Nacogdoches, Texas	TSgt Charles L. Putnam Colorado Springs, Colorado
Major Edwin C. Diltz Fayetteville, Texas	TSgt Lloyd G. Wells San Antonio, Texas	1st Lt Robert P. Weaver Fort Wayne, Indiana
Captain Willian R. Howard Gunnison, Mississippi	AD/3 Harry R. Crites, Jr. Lafayette, Indiana	1st Lt Royce C. Stephens San Antonio, Texas
Captain Joel M. DeVolentine Miami, Florida	1st Lt Richard M. Wurgel Union City, New Jersey	1st Lt Robert C. von Luehrte Covington, Kentucky
1st Lt William T. Lucas Wilson, North Carolina	1st Lt Lowell A. Wheaton, Jr. Corpus Christi, Texas	2nd Lt Donald J. Leemon Green Bay, Wisconsin
PFC Johnny T. Orms Rhein-Main Air Base	Captain William A. Rathgeber Portland, Oregon	TSgt Herbert F. Heinig Fort Wayne, Indiana
	Sgt Bernard J. Watkins Lafayette, Indiana

 

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL! I seem to have just awoken. Good night and rest well, ms b. ((HUGS))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Connie, for the red, white, and blue tribute.

Glad you had such a fun, and different day. It is always fun to start new “traditions”.

[oldteen]

Looks like everyone has retired for the night. Guess I'll do the same.

Goodnight and have a wonderful Monday! (If that's possible!) *HUGS*

[Kathy in Alaska]

I'm working on getting some snow pictures downloaded between naps.

A good Monday IS possible...no work!! Long list of "me" stuff, but at home.

Good night and sleep tight, teen...*HUGS*... and Merry CHRISTmas!!

[oldteen]

no work

Only drawback to that is...gotta play catch up on Tuesday!

Merry CHRISTmas to you as well! Soon we'll be doing the Happy New Year thing! :)

I'm signing off for sure this time...lol. Night!

[Kathy in Alaska]

You figure out the rest.....

Oh my goodness....our thanks to the military personnel.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I brought stuff home....I won’t be a FULL day behind. LOL!!

Sleep tight!!

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Ladies!

*HUGS*

Thanks very much for this outstanding Hall of Heroes thread, particularly the pictures of the 31 Fallen Heroes of the Airlift! Their service and sacrifice were a substantial contribution to this vital mission, so magnificently executed by the newly designated US Air Force. One of the shining moments that showed the United States at its best and most generous.

Etiam non princeps sed usque ad genua, Principis Pacis!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...hope you had a nice Christmas and enjoy your visiting family.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Snacks?

[luvie]

Helloooooo, Early Birds!
Well, it's all over
plus it's Monday!
I think we ALL need more caffeine!
Have a great day...I'm gonna try!
All the returns and exchanges..oh, my!
((((hugs))))

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. I never go online yesterday, so probably won't answer every ping.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Luv!

*HUGS*

Hope you had a great Christmas! At the office this morning - the place is like a tomb - the city is deserted.

Etiam non princeps sed usque ad genua, Principis Pacis!

[E.G.C.]

Morning coffee bump.

((HUGS))Good morning, LUV W. How's it going?

[luvie]

Howdy, Conor! (((hugs)))

Well at least it’ll be quiet...you can get your stuff done! LOL!

Sorry you have to work, too!

[luvie]

Howdy, EGC! (((hugs)))

Hope you had a very merry Christmas with your family...and Bo! :)

[ConorMacNessa]

I'm just thankful for the steady employment - a lot of decent, hard-working people on the street!

Etiam non princeps sed usque ad genua, Principis Pacis!