Sheffield paid tribute to the Mi Amigo crash to mark 75 years since the incident which killed 10 American servicemen.
On February 22, around 10,000 people gathered at Endcliffe Park to see a flypast of US and Royal Air Force aircraft to honour the men who died in a B-17 Flying Fortress in 1944.
Tony Foulds, an 82-year old man who witnessed the wartime crash whilst playing with friends as a child, inspired this event.
Tony said: “The men that passed away are my sons. You could not put a word to the love between me and these lads.”
It is thought that the crew were planning to crash in the park to not hit the houses nearby but diverted its route when it realised it could hurt Tony and his friends.
The pensioner has been tending to a memorial dedicated to these men for 67 years. Tony said: “My ashes are going behind the memorial, so I will be with them forever.”
The event was broadcasted by BBC Breakfast because journalist Dan Walker was the one who found Tony at the memorial while walking his dog.
Many US Air Force men came to Sheffield to attend the event and pay respect.
Staff Sergeant James Johnson, from the 48th Aerospace Medical Squadron, said: “Just being able to support this event means a lot, we appreciate the sacrifice of the men who passed away 75 years ago.”
John Greatorex, 60, who attended the event, said: “It is important we keep this remembrance every year so that people do not forget about the war era and in memory of the ones who have lost their lives not only in the Second World War but in every conflict.”
