Organizers seek descendants of base history

Published Dec. 30, 2014
439th AW Public Affairs

WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE -- Organizers with the Great New England Air Show breakfast seek information
on the possible whereabouts of relatives of the Stonina and Halvorsen
families.

Both these names are synonymous with the base's history. Anthony Stonina
was mayor of Chicopee and a car dealership owner, He had a direct influence with
the War Department's 1939 decision to build Westover.

Retired Col. Gail Halvorsen, who is still alive today, made history here in 1948.
Then-Lt. Halvorsen became known as the "Candy Bomber," for airdropping candy
to children in Berlin, Germany. Plans also call for inviting family members of Maj.
Gen. Oscar Westover. Anyone who has specific information is asked to email 439aw.
pa@us.af.mil .