The US army has replaced a birthday cake after soldiers stole one from a 13-year-old Italian girl in 1945.
Meri Mion, who turned 90, wiped away tears as she was presented with the cake during a ceremony in Vicenza, northwest of Venice.
The event marked the anniversary of the day the 88th Infantry Division fought its way into the city on 28 April 1945.
On that night, Ms Mion hid in the attic of her family’s farm with her mother. Retreating German soldiers had fired on the house, but when she awoke on the morning of her 13th birthday, US soldiers were nearby.
In celebration of Ms Mion’s birthday, her mother baked a cake and left it on a windowsill to cool.
But it disappeared, apparently taken by hungry US soldiers who had already been greeted by grateful Italians with bread and wine as they entered Vincenza.
“Her happiness turned into disappointment later when the resourceful American soldiers made off with her cake,” said Colonel Matthew Gomlak, commander of the US Army Garrison Italy.
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Ms Mion seemed genuinely surprised that US soldiers had replaced the cake 77 years later.
She said “mamma mia” and “grazie” as a small crowd featuring US commanders and Italian officials sang Happy Birthday.
“Tomorrow, we will eat that dessert, with all my family remembering this wonderful day that I will never forget,” Ms Mion said, according to the US army.
Sgt Peter Wallis, who handed over the dessert, said it was “a little awkward” to replace the stolen goods, “but it makes me feel great”.
