A town remembered those who lost their lives and the heroism of those who risked their own to save others in the 1953 floods.

Some 31 perished on the night of January 31, when a storm surge crashed through the sea defences at Hunstanton.

Eastern Daily Press: Wreaths were laid at the memorial in Hunstanton to the 31 victims of the 1953 floodsWreaths were laid at the memorial in Hunstanton to the 31 victims of the 1953 floods (Image: Chris Bishop)

Sixteen of those killed were American service personnel, who were billeted in houses along South Beach Road.

The terrible night also saw heroic acts, as US airmen from the 67th Air Rescue Squadron went to rescue those in danger.

Eastern Daily Press: Members of the 67th Special Operations Squadron took part in the ceremonyMembers of the 67th Special Operations Squadron took part in the ceremony (Image: Chris BIshop)

On what would have been the eve of the 69th anniversary of the disaster, members of the present day 67th Special Operations Squadron, based at RAF Mildenhall, joined Hunstanton mayor Adrian Winnington, town councillors and people from the town at the flood memorial in the Esplanade Gardens.

Eastern Daily Press: Hunstanton mayor Adrian Winnington lays a wreath at the town's memorial to those who died in the 1953 floodsHunstanton mayor Adrian Winnington lays a wreath at the town's memorial to those who died in the 1953 floods (Image: Chris Bishop)

The names of the dead were read out by Mr Winnington and the 67th SOS Squadron's commander, Lt Col Jared Williams.

Eastern Daily Press: Lt Col Jared Williams reads out the names of the 16 Americans who died in the 1953 floods at HunstantonLt Col Jared Williams reads out the names of the 16 Americans who died in the 1953 floods at Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

The party then walked a short distance along the clifftops to a walkway which is being named in honour of an American airman who saved 18 lives on the night of the storm.

Eastern Daily Press: Staff Sgt Vinnie Telmanik of the US Air Force unveils the sign on the newly-named Freeman Kilpatrick Walk at HunstantonStaff Sgt Vinnie Telmanik of the US Air Force unveils the sign on the newly-named Freeman Kilpatrick Walk at Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

Freeman Kilpatrick, who died at the age of 87 in 2014, was a 26-year-old US Air Force Sergeant stationed at RAF Sculthorpe, near Fakenham.

Eastern Daily Press: Devastation in the wake of the 1953 floods at HunstantonDevastation in the wake of the 1953 floods at Hunstanton (Image: Archant)

Sgt Kilpatrick, from Louisiana, lived with his wife Sara and daughter Suellen in a bungalow on South Beach Road.

Eastern Daily Press: US Air Force personnel and a police officer survey the damage after the 1953 floodsUS Air Force personnel and a police officer survey the damage after the 1953 floods (Image: Chris Bishop)

On the night of the storm, he was due to go out but as he stepped out the door he saw the storm surge, he ran to his neighbours' houses to warn them and take them to higher ground.

Eastern Daily Press: Members of the 67th Special Operations Squadron, from RAF Mildenhall, join Hunstanton mayor Adrian Winnington, town councillors and residents to remember those who lost their lives in the 1953 floodsMembers of the 67th Special Operations Squadron, from RAF Mildenhall, join Hunstanton mayor Adrian Winnington, town councillors and residents to remember those who lost their lives in the 1953 floods (Image: Chris Bishop)

By then he had swam back to his own home, the water was rising rapidly and the family had to get out onto the roof. Their house was washed away and they spent hours clinging onto the wreckage before they were themselves rescued.

Eastern Daily Press: The George Medal awarded to Freeman Kilpatrick to honour his bravery on the night of the 1953 floods in HunstantonThe George Medal awarded to Freeman Kilpatrick to honour his bravery on the night of the 1953 floods in Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

Sgt Kilpatrick was later presented with the George Medal for bravery, one of just five Americans to have been presented with the honour in peacetime.

Eastern Daily Press: Reis Leming, who waded out to save people from the 1953 floods despite the fact he could not swimReis Leming, who waded out to save people from the 1953 floods despite the fact he could not swim (Image: Archant)

They included fellow 67th Sqn airman Reis Leming, who waded out and rescued 27 people on the night of the storm despite the fact he could not swim, before collapsing from hypothemia.

Eastern Daily Press: Reis Leming Way, named after one of the heroes of the 1953 floodsReis Leming Way, named after one of the heroes of the 1953 floods (Image: Chris Bishop)

A walkway in Hunstanton is named after airman Leming.

Eastern Daily Press: Reis Leming and Freeman Kilpatricks' George Medals which they were awarded for their bravery on the night of the 1953 floodsReis Leming and Freeman Kilpatricks' George Medals which they were awarded for their bravery on the night of the 1953 floods (Image: Chris Bishop)

Lt Col Williams spoke of the special bond forged between Hunstanton and the 67th SOS Sqn at a buffet at the town hall.

He said the twinning was the only one which existed across the entire US military.

Eastern Daily Press: Lt Col Williams receives a copy of a painting commemorating his squadron's special relationship with Hunstanton from the town's mayor Adrian WinningtonLt Col Williams receives a copy of a painting commemorating his squadron's special relationship with Hunstanton from the town's mayor Adrian Winnington (Image: Chris Bishop)

Lt Col Williams was resented with two copies of a painting honouring the relationship on behalf of Hunstanton by Mr Winnington - one for the squadron's HQ and one for his home after he leaves the UK later this year.