RAF Mildenhall honours wartime airman by naming building after him
Retired Master Sgt. Dewey Christopher, right, and his son Gary, stand with their hands over their hearts during the playing of the national anthem at the renaming ceremony on RAF Mildenhall. Picture: USAF/Karen Abeyasekere - Credit: USAF/Karen Abeyasekere
US military personnel at RAF Mildenhall have honoured a former 100th Bomb Group airman stationed in Norfolk during the Second World War by naming a building after him.
Retired Master Sgt Dewey Christopher travelled from America with his son Gary to attened a special ceremony to mark the renaming of the Mildenhall training centre.
A recipient of the Bronze Star for heroism, the former serviceman was a crew chief stationed at Thorpe Abbots, near Diss, home of the 100th Bomb Group, from 1943.
During his visit Mr Christopher made emotional trip back to Thorpe Abbots seeing the part of the former airfield where his crew maintained the 351st Bomb Squadron B-17 Flying Fortresses.
He also celebrated his 96th birthday during his visit marked with a birthday cake as he opened the Dewey R. Christopher Professional Development Center, which hosts training for new US airmen on their first posting.
You may also want to watch:
Mr Christopher had previously returned to East Anglia with fellow veterans and families from the 100th Bombardment Group Foundation in 2017.
Most Read
- 1 Missing 84-year-old man found safe and well
- 2 Child groomer caught by seven paedophile hunter groups
- 3 Woman who sold stolen goods on eBay researched shoplifting online
- 4 Ice warning after freezing temperatures overnight
- 5 Firefighters tackle Yaxley workshop blaze
- 6 Covid led to huge fall in Norfolk parking fines and £1.3m budget hole
- 7 Covid rates continue to fall across Norfolk, especially in Norwich
- 8 More than £4,000 raised after father-of-six has leg amputated
- 9 Norfolk woman fined after travelling 200 miles to visit daughter
- 10 'Power of the high vis jacket' - Out with town's Covid watchdogs