22 May 2012 Last updated at 09:57 ET

US warplane tribute to L/Cpl Kieron Hill

The tribute to L/Cpl Hill was the suggestion of his cousin in America

A US warplane has been named after a young soldier from Nottingham who died while on duty in Afghanistan.

L/Cpl Kieron Hill, 20, died in an explosion while on patrol in Helmand Province with the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment in 2009.

The plaque in his honour has been put on an F-18 jet, part of the US fighter squadron.

The jet is based on the USS Abraham Lincoln where L/Cpl Hill's American cousin is part of the crew.

L/Cpl Hill's cousin, Petty Officer David Burton, suggested the tribute.

He said: "They (US Navy) were looking for a way to honour some of the soldiers that were taken during the war out in Afghanistan.

"I thought it was something great to do for my family. He was a special guy.

"I'm very honoured to have it up there as I get to see it every day."

L/Cpl Hill's mother, Vicki Holmes, said: "I just think it's lovely that Kieron's name is soaring through the sky.

"When I first saw it I just burst into tears. I thought it was an amazing tribute."