A memorial to US service personnel stationed in Pembrokeshire during the Second World War was unveiled this week in an emotional ceremony.

Members of the Armed Forces from the Royal Navy, the Army and the RAF gathered at Carew Cheriton Control Tower on Tuesday to remember the American soldiers who served alongside them and lived in the county during preperations for the D-Day Landings in 1944.

The US was represented by servicemen from the American Airforce.

Veterans who served with the Americans during the war also attended, along with local dignitaries and members of the public.

Among them was a group of children from Sageston Community Primary School who gave a musical performance in wartime costume.

Her Majesty The Queen was represented by the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Sara Edwards who unveiled the commemorative plaque.

The Last Post was sounded, resulting in the traditional two-minute silence.

Servicemen and women then laid wreaths at the foot of the memorial in remembrance of the American troops.

There was also due to have been a fly past from an RAF Hawk, but unfortunately the plans were scrapped because of bad weather.

The ceremony was closed by the South Wales Male Voice Choir who sang the national anthems of America, Wales and Great Britain.

Carew Cheriton control tower volunteer, Keith Hamer, told Observer reporter Jack Simpson how members from the US 110th Infantry were based in Pembrokeshire between 1943 and 1944.

The 28th division’s headquarters were in Tenby, with General Eisenhower paying a visit at some stage in that period.

They were in charge of all the different infantries as they were practising the D-Day landings.

This was because the beaches in Normandy were similar to the ones in South Pembrokeshire, so it was ideal for them to practise.

After the ceremony, Mr. Hamer presented the Lord Lieutenant, the chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Dr Simon Hancock, a representative from Valero Pembroke refinery and the US service personnel with commemorative photos of the memorial.

The Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Sara Edwards, who was representing, Her Majesty The Queen, said: “As Her Majesty’s personal representative, it is a great privilege to be here.

“It is such an important event because even though the 1940s may seem a very long time ago, to a lot of people memories are very fresh, and it’s important to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“It’s been a very poignant ceremony, beautifully executed and it’s very good to know that there will be a little piece of American soil here in Pembrokeshire.”

Air Commodore Adrian Williams, the Air Officer for Wales, said: “I think its really important to remember the service and sacrifice of people from the Second World War.

“There’s a lot of connections between Pembrokeshire and the RAF. We remember the US serviceman who came through Pembrokeshire in 1943-1944 which was a critical time in the nation’s history as they played an important contribution in D-Day.

“These events are all important things to do, both to remember the people who did serve and also to show to young people of today, the history of what actually happened.

“This is so that the public are aware of this and can pass that on to future generations.”

Mr. Williams denied suggestions that those who gave their lives could be forgotten.

“Welsh communities are very supportive of their armed forces, they are very interested in the history and what’s happened in years gone by,” he said.

“If we can keep bringing these commemorative events to the Welsh public, all the generations are interested in them and hopefully that will ensure these memories are passed on in the future.

“All this is about our people, our allies and everything that we have done together.”

I then spoke to 95-year-old Gordon Prime from Jameston, who served with US servicemen during the war.

When asked if he felt emotional, he said: “I feel very emotional, the American lads I met during the war were so generous, kind and so friendly. I used to love being with them.

“All the Canadians wanted to do was fight, but the Americans were lovely lads. I’m thinking about them all today.

“They made a terrible sacrifice, those lads. We are here today and thank God to those that we are.”

US Airman First Class, Issac Mayard, added: “I feel very honoured, doing the ceremony and folding the flag, it gave me a sense of pride that I’m commemorating the great history they have over here.

“We can’t let the younger generation forget about this.”

Keith Hill, Carew Cheriton Control Tower volunteer, couldn’t hide his delight at finally achieving his goal.

He said: “I’m very pleased, this has gone on for the last three years and when you try to include everybody, it’s very difficult.

“Everybody has congratulated me and the crew; it’s been well worth it.”

Mr. Hamer then explained the reasons as to why he wanted a memorial.

“They didn’t have a memorial in Pembrokeshire for all the 110th Infantry that were stationed here and preparing for the invasion of Normandy” he said.

“Other areas in South Wales have got memorials and Pembrokeshire hasn’t, not the type of memorial that we have unveiled.

“We have always thought there should be a permanent memorial erected to the memory of the young men, some of whom were still teenagers, who gave their lives for us.

“It is never too late to honour their sacrifice.

“To honour those troops, we are proud to have a monument here at Carew Cheriton Control Tower

“It’s good for Pembrokeshire and good for Wales.”

Stephen Thornton, refinery public affairs manager for Valero who sponsored the event, said: “The American soldiers who spent time in Pembrokeshire during the Second World War became a part of the community, and more than 75 years later that welcoming community spirit is still alive and well.

“Carew Cheriton Control Tower Trust’s team of volunteers have done themselves and the county proud by commissioning this permanent memorial, and it was a privilege to be able to support today’s historic event.

“We would encourage anyone who wants to find out more about this fascinating chapter in county history to visit the museum, and make the most of this valuable resource.”

With this year marking the 80th anniversary of World War II breaking out, memorials such as the one unveiled in Carew are important so that the public must never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

This was echoed by the Lord Lieutenant, Ms. Edwards, who said: “I think it’s incredibly important that however many years have gone by that the public, the children who come to the control tower on school trips, will see this memorial and will think about all those young American servicemen who were here and went on give their lives for us; I think they will always be remembered.

“It’s crucial for future generations to remember what’s happened.

“We still need to be aware of how important it is to keep peace and to be mindful of what happened, to have history in our minds as we go forward into the future.”

Mr. Hamer added: “ Children must never be allowed to forget that those young men of all countries gave their lives for us.”