Several years after WWII, Western Europe was still recovering; and along with restoring economies, political dominance was also at stake. Towards the end of 1947, as the result of a nationwide humanitarian effort, a ship filled with cartons of food from America docked in the port of Naples.

In October 1947, popular journalist and radio show host Drew Pearson suggested Americans donate food to hungry Europeans. Because of his insider connections and his propensity to publicize much of what he heard before receiving all the details, Pearson was not well liked in Washington’s political circles. But, he was influential in steering public policy through his nationwide syndicated columns. While in Europe, Pearson saw sacks of grain being distributed by the Communist Party, and watched the joyous thankful reactions of the starving recipients.