- Type of Memorial
- Stone of remembrance
- WMR Reference Number
- 11500
- Description
- The monument comprises a taller central section (of 6 adjoining granite blocks), flanked on each side by a lower wing of 4 granite blocks. The sloped top surfaces of all three sections are polished, and bear inscriptions. The central section's top surface has a cross flanked by the dedicatory inscriptions; beneath them, a map of the former airfield's runways is flanked by depictions of a P47 Thunderbolt and P51 Mustang fighter aircraft. (The vertical front face of that central section bears inscriptions re the dedication and funding of the memorial). The top surface of the left and right wings are inscribed with the casualties' names, in black lettering.
The memorial is set within area bounded three sides by a wooden fence, containing two flag poles (to which commemorative plaques are attached). Fixed to the rear fence is a plaque, bearings details re 'The Friends of Leiston Airfield'.
- Inscription
- Centre section, upper left stone: REMEMBERING/ THE UNITS OF THE/ US ARMY AIR FORCE/ WHO OPERATED/ FROM THIS AIRFIELD/ NOVEMBER 1943/ TO JULY 1945
Centre section, upper central stone: "THEY FLEW AWAY/AS EAGLES/ TOWARDS HEAVEN"/ WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
Centre section, upper right stone: / ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO/ IN THE FIGHT/ FOR FREEDOM FAR/ FROM THEIR HOMES/ AND LOVED ONES/ GAVE THEIR LIVES
Centre section, lower left stone: 385TH FIGHTER GROUP/ 29 NOVEMBER 1943 TO/ 1 FEBRUARY 1944 [P-47 plane outline]
Centre section, lower central stone: LEISTON AIRFIELD/ [runway-map]/ STATION 373
Centre section, lower right stone: 357TH FIGHTER GROUP/ 1 FEBRUARY 1944 TO/ 8 JULY 1945 [P-51 plane outline]
Vertical face of central section, left side: ERECTED BY/ FRIENDS OF/ LEISTON/ AIRFIELD/ SEPTEMBER 1997 Vertical face of central section, right side: THIS MEMORIAL WAS/ DEDICATED ON/ THE 31st MAY 1998,/ BY THE REV./ CHRISTINE BROOKS,/ IN THE PRESENCE OF/ MAJOR GENERAL W.S. HINTON JR. COMMANDER/ THIRD AIR FORCE/ UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Left and right wings of memorial: (names)
