Ridiculous History: CLASSIC - War and Candy: The Infamous Tootsie Roll Air Drop
Published on April 26, 2025
In this classic episode of Ridiculous History, hosts Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown delve into one of the most peculiar yet inspiring stories from the Korean War: the infamous Tootsie Roll airdrop. Blending humor with historical insight, the duo uncovers how a simple mix-up involving beloved candy played a pivotal role in a brutal battle.
Introduction: War Meets Candy
The episode kicks off with the hosts engaging in their trademark banter about various candies, setting a lighthearted tone before plunging into the serious historical narrative.
Ben introduces the main topic:
"We are kind of talking about candy. And I think in this classic episode, the infamous Tootsie Roll Airdrop, we also air some of our opinions about Scrumptious treats."
[00:24]
Noel adds his playful twist:
"Shang Wang, this standup comic that I absolutely love. He has a Netflix special wherein he has an extended rant about Almond Joy and Mounds."
[00:57]
Historical Context: The Korean War
Ben and Noel provide a succinct overview of the Korean War, emphasizing its role as a proxy conflict between North Korea (supported by USSR and China) and South Korea (backed by the USA). They highlight the war's enduring legacy, noting that it technically never officially ended, with the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) still serving as a tense reminder of the unresolved conflict.
Ben reflects on his personal experience:
"I went recently to the Republic of Korea and then visited the dmz, which is a weird place... It's a physical, tangible reminder that this war... still affects the people on the peninsula and in the larger region."
[09:00]
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir: A Desperate Stand
The narrative zeroes in on the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, a critical and harrowing campaign during the Korean War. In late 1950, the 1st Marine Division of the US X Corps found themselves surrounded by approximately 120,000 Chinese troops in brutally cold conditions, with temperatures plummeting to around -30°F.
Noel succinctly captures the dire situation:
"The temperature was around negative 30 Fahrenheit. Yikes."
[21:33]
The Tootsie Roll Airdrop: A Critical Mix-Up
In a desperate bid for supplies, the beleaguered Marines sent a coded request for mortar shells using "Tootsie Rolls" as the code word to avoid enemy interception. However, the Chinese forces intercepted the message and mistakenly dropped actual Tootsie Rolls instead of the intended ammunition.
Noel explains the blunder:
"It was Tootsie Rolls. Tootsie Rolls was the code word for these particular types of mortar shells. But unfortunately, the person that intercepted that request... called in an airdrop of Tootsie Rolls."
[22:15]
Ben paints a vivid picture of the scene:
"Instead of getting ammo for guns, they get what we could call ammo for Halloween. They get Tootsie Rolls, man."
[02:15]
Ingenious Utilization of Tootsie Rolls
Facing extreme cold and a lack of proper supplies, the Marines demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in repurposing the unexpected payload. They used the Tootsie Rolls in several creative ways:
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Edible Sustenance: Soldiers warmed the candy in their mouths or using body heat, making it pliable and edible in the freezing temperatures.
Ben muses humorously:
"You could put it in your armpits. You could still do stuff, probably."
[25:16] -
Makeshift Repairs: The pliable Tootsie Rolls served as an impromptu welding material to patch bullet holes in vehicles and hoses, effectively acting as a quick fix for essential equipment.
Noel adds:
"They were able to patch bullet holes in vehicles. They were able to patch hoses, other equipment."
[25:38]
These resourceful uses of candy not only provided the Marines with necessary sustenance but also critical repairs that helped sustain their defenses against overwhelming enemy forces.
Casualties and Survival
The battle was fierce and costly. Out of the 15,000 Marines involved, approximately 3,000 were killed in action, 6,000 wounded, and many suffered severe frostbite. Despite these hardships, the Marine division managed to survive and eventually return to the United States as heroes.
Ben underscores the survival:
"They ultimately survived. A group of them known henceforth as the chosen few."
[27:08]
Legacy and Commemoration
While the Tootsie Roll airdrop is a testament to ingenuity under pressure, the Tootsie Roll Company did not capitalize on this historical footnote. However, the story has not faded into obscurity. In 2011, a recreation of the event took place in South Bend, Indiana, where thousands of Tootsie Rolls were airdropped to commemorate the original incident.
Noel narrates the commemoration:
"They organized an airdrop where thousands of Tootsie Rolls were dropped on the airport to commemorate that day during the Korean War."
[31:15]
Additionally, an interesting tidbit shared was that Frank Sinatra, affectionately known as "Old Blue Eyes," was a fan of Tootsie Rolls. It is reported that he was buried with them alongside cigarettes, a lighter, and a bottle of Jack Daniels, further cementing the candy's place in American cultural lore.
Conclusion: A Sweet Surprise in War
The episode beautifully encapsulates how a simple candy like Tootsie Rolls found an unexpected and vital role in one of history's most brutal battles. Ben and Noel highlight the blend of resourcefulness and fortuitous circumstances that turned Tootsie Rolls into both sustenance and tools for survival, illustrating that sometimes the most unlikely elements can have profound impacts in dire situations.
Ben wraps up the story:
"The strange story of Tootsie Rolls in the Korean War. It seems as if we're generating kind of a theme here, a running series on food and war, but I'm fine with that."
[32:37]
Through engaging storytelling and insightful commentary, Ridiculous History offers listeners a captivating glimpse into how humor and historical oddities intersect, shedding light on the lesser-known facets of human history.
Note: Timestamps correspond to notable quotes and sections within the episode transcript.