An annual ceremony is to take place this Sunday, February 19, to mark 79 years since ten American crewmen lost their lives when the B-17 Flying Fortress, known as Mi Amigo, crashed in Endcliffe Park.
A number of dignitaries, including representative from the American Embassy, Aaron Snipe, will lay wreaths at the memorial site at 1.15pm, followed by a service at 2pm in St Augustine’s Church, on Brocco Bank.
Squadron Leader Barry Darwin, of Sheffield Royal Air Forces Association, was aged four when he saw the “terrible pall of smoke” stretching over his home on High Storrs.
Since leaving RAF Finningley, the 83-year-old has been involved in many remembrance services for the fallen crew, and has been organising the annual remembrance service since 2019.
He has stated there will be a larger service with a pipe band and a visit from an American Ambassador next year to commemorate 80 years since the airmen selflessly lost their lives.
In February 2019, a military flypast was organised by former BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker to mark the 75th anniversary, and to recognise the tireless efforts of local resident Tony Foulds, who has long campaigned for the flyover to keep the memories of the men alive.
Thousands of people entered the park to watch the impressive display from both the Royal Air Force and United States Air Force - as well as around three million people catching the live broadcast on BBC Breakfast.
Can you spot yourself in these photos?
1. Interantional visitors
Tony Foulds sat on his beloved memorial during the 2019 flypast with visitors from New York, Steven and Tina Bartlett. Photo: Steve Ellis
2. Flypast
F-15s seen from Endcliffe Park in Sheffield, as warplanes from Britain and the United States stage a flypast Photo: Danny Lawson
3. Flypast
Squadron leader Barry Darwin witnessed the crashing of Mi Amigo in 1944. He was joined by a friend at the flypast. Photo: Submitted
