During the Cold War, RAF Sculthorpe became home to the 49th Air Division (Operational) and the 47th Bombardment Wing of the US Air Force. Many of the US servicemen aided victims of the North Norfolk floods in January 1953, including 22 year old Reis Leming, living in Hunstanton, who was awarded the George Medal for his bravery.
The people of Norfolk presented a silver pheasant to the airmen of the 47th Bomb Wing, to mark their brave assistance with the rescue of local people. A replica is displayed at the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library, in Norwich. [The original was burnt in the Norwich Central Library fire in 1994.]
Norfolk's American Connections 