Berlin Airlift Dog Parachute

Animals and other mascots have historically served as morale building tools used to unite servicemembers around a common identity. For the Berlin Airlift, aircrews flew with “Vittles,” a Boxer owned by Lieutenant Russ Steber. Vittles hopped planes and flew with different crews. He spent his nights in the Officers’ Club with the men. Hearing about the dog that caught rides on his planes, General Curtis LeMay ordered Lt Steber to his office. LeMay surprised Steber by ordering that, because of the dog’s importance, a special parachute be made for Vittles. The only one of its kind, Vittles’ dog parachute tethered the dog to Steber and functioned as a secondary chute that activated after the pilot’s parachute deployed.