Memorial for US paratroopers killed in RAF blast
BBCA memorial has been unveiled to honour three US paratroopers killed in an accident at an RAF base in Lincolnshire during World War Two.
Staff Sgt Robert Shearer, PFC William Mitchell and Pte Louis Spera died at RAF Fulbeck in September 1944 when 10 landmines being transported on the back of a truck exploded.
Unveiling the memorial earlier during a ceremony at the former airbase, near Newark, Gail Tesei, Pte Spera's nephew, described the event as "amazing".
A historian involved in Mission82, a project aimed at commemorating members of the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division who died in training or other non-combat incidents while stationed in England, said the men "deserve to be remembered".
Historian Adam Berry said the servicemens' battalion had been preparing for a combat jump into Belgium, which was later cancelled, when the accident happened.
As they moved equipment around the airfield, a bundle containing 10 landmines fell from a truck and detonated.
"All three of them were combat veterans of the campaign in Normandy," Berry said.
"They deserve to be remembered, as with everybody else in their division that ultimately came to serve here and paid the ultimate sacrifice."
Tesei's wife, Alice, said the family had initially been told his death was the result of an accident and were not given any details.
It was not until a historian traced the family 50 years later that they learned how he had died.
"We know that he fought at Normandy," she said.
"We know that he was instrumental in pulling some soldiers into shelter and to medics, and then he survived that without a scratch, and then, to be blown up in an explosion was pretty tragic.
"We're really honoured to be here representing the family...it's wonderful," she said.
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