Operation Sweets: An Instance of America's and American Exceptionalism's Impact on History

Lieutenant Charles Hunter fiddled with the buttons of his faded jacket, his hands slightly clammy with anxiety and anticipation of the operation ahead. Today would be his first day piloting one of the USAF’s C-54’s, the cargo transporting aircrafts that were currently being used to fly supplies into Soviet-blockaded Berlin. In an effort to exert control over Germany, the Soviet Union had cut off all land supply routes into Berlin and the Allies had resorted to ferrying sustenance across the sky to starving Berliners. Hunter was particularly concerned over stories he had heard of Soviet aircrafts “buzzing” or feinting attacks at the Allied carrier planes. Caught up in his own thoughts, Hunter jumped when he felt a hand descend on his shoulder.

“Worryin’ about the buzzers? They’ll fly at you like angry bats but that’s really all they do. None of ‘em're looking to pick a real fight with us just yet.” The weather-worn face of Colonel Brown, a fellow pilot, grinned at him reassuringly. Hunter returned the smile with a sheepish one of his own.

“They’ll need more than just a couple buzzers to stop me. I’ve got the weight of two nations on my back. Germany may have been our enemy once, but America will not stand by while innocent civilians are being used as pieces in a tyrant’s game.”

Colonel Brown chuckled approvingly. “Good man.”

It was nearing time for their operation to begin and Hunter moved to get his crew boarded on the airplane, but was stopped by the colonel’s hand on his elbow.

“Lieutenant? Would you mind doing me a favor?”

“Anything, sir.”

The colonel 's gray eyes flicked around quickly before he surreptitiously handed Hunter three small packages, each strung to a cloth handkerchief.

“Drop ‘em down when you’re flying over the city. They’ve got parachutes on ‘em so they’ll fly by themselves.”

Hunter lifted a corner of the cloth that one of the bundles was wrapped in and glimpsing the contents of the package, became even more confused. He looked up at the colonel with a questioning look.        

“Sir?”

Colonel Brown merely gave the younger lieutenant a confidential smile. “Just something one of my buddies started. But remember, keep it low,” he said with a wink, before clapping Hunter on the shoulder and leaving the lieutenant to puzzle out the mystery of the wrapped bundles by himself. 

                                             -------------------------

            Hunter was awestruck by the sight of the delapidated buildings and mounds of crumbled wreckage as he flew over the city of Berlin. He wondered how it was even possible for people to live in a city that was literally falling apart. From the less-damaged structures that remained relatively stable, pockets of civilians ventured out and heads poked out of the windows to peer inquisitively up at the aircraft as it rumbled overhead. By the time they landed at a port to unload, a crowd of eager Berliners had already gathered to receive the much welcome supplies. Hunter found himself immediately surrounded by a cluster of knee-high children, their round eyes transfixed on him in identical expressions of curiosity and awe. In some of their hands, he recognized the bundles he had ejected from the rear chute of the plane per Colonel Brown’s wish. Hunter smiled warmly in understanding when the children reached into the bundles and pulled out a variety of chocolate bars and candy sticks which they distributed carefully amongst themselves.

“Don’t give up, Mister,” implored a young boy in heavily accented but nevertheless understandable English. “Mama says she heard the Soviets are getting tired now. They didn’t think you’d be so strong. Soon, we can be free!”

Hunter felt his heart tug at the hopefulness and gratitude in the child’s voice and suddenly felt immense pride for his mission. Wasn’t this the very essence of America, the throwing-off of tyranny and the perseverance for liberty out of which America herself was born? And here they were, sharing the strength and determination accumulated from their country's history to aid a struggling sister nation. The Soviet Union was definitely a force to be reckoned with, and the Americans knew all too well how taxing the defiance of domination was; but by God, if it worked for America, then they could make it work for these children and all of the people of Berlin as well.

“You bet, buddy,” said Hunter, kneeling down to unwrap a Hershey chocolate bar for the delighted boy. “Soon, you’ll be free. I promise.”

On May 12^th, 1949, the Soviet Union finally relented their blockade of Berlin, acknowledging the unexpected success of a team effort between the Allied nations. The United States in particular played an important role in rallying support and donations for the Berlin Airlift through “Operation Little Vittles”, in which pilots dropped packages of candy onto the city below to raise the morale of suffering Berlin children. America’s leadership and exceptionalistic value of liberty, which was a driving force of the Berlin Airlift, impacted history by rewriting the fate of the Berliners and diminishing the Soviet Union's influence without outright war.