Hunstanton is now officially twinned with the US Air Force unit which worked tirelessly in the rescue efforts during the worst floods our region has experienced in living memory.
The town will never forget how members of the 67th Special Operations Squadron of the US Air Force came to their aid during the 1953 floods which claimed the lives of 16 Americans and 15 of their English neighbours.
Their long-term friendship may have been forged from tragedy, but it was respectfully commemorated at an event where a Charter was signed to honour the twinning commitment.
Andrew Murray, Hunstanton's mayor and chairman of the town's civic society, said: 'Our twinning with the 67th Special Operations Squadron is an historic event for the town.
'It also reflects the fact that our American friends were well integrated in the town during the 1950s when based at RAF Sculthorpe and very much put themselves forward during the rescue efforts. We must remember that forever.'
Hunstanton's town hall was decorated with bunting featuring the Union Jack and the American stars and stripes to mark the occasion on Friday night.
Neil Quincey, 90, was among the special guests. Four members of the squadron, which was then called 67th Air Rescue Squadron, took him on board their amphibious craft in a brave attempt to rescue his wife and three children from their home in the worst-affected street, South Beach Road.
The vessel capsized initially, but they were all eventually taken to safety by Reis Leming who was subsequently awarded the George Medal for single-handedly rescuing 27 people.
Mr Quincey said: 'I will always remember what happened that night; it never goes away. The Americans to me are firm friends and I'm so pleased the friendship between the 67th Squadron and the town will continue through the twinning.'
The squadron which is now based at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk was previously awarded Freedom of the Town in 2014.
Lieutenant Colonel Bradley Downs, Commander of the 67th Special Operations Squadron, said: 'Hunstanton is the official UK home of the 67th; we will always be friends of the town.'
Is your town celebrating a landmark event? Email louise.hepburn@archant.co.uk
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