Revisiting Orleans • May 6-8, 2022
A memorable slate of activities and tours including the
dedication of a memorial plaque at the site of the Riley Fields baseball complex, named in honor of Cpt. James D. Riley who died in a tragic traffic accident in Olivet while deploying to duty in Lebanon. Cpt. Riley was heavily involved in youth baseball and was responsible for the Orleans team that won the European championship in 1958. Thousands of American kids played Little League baseball on Riley Fields during the 1950s and 60s.
Also that weekend, the annual
Joan of Arc celebrations in Orleans.
The organization of events is ongoing and depends on the number of OHS alumni attending.
May 6th
Morning:
Visit to the “La Foret” High school.
Afternoon:
Guided tour of Orleans, including
St Jean-de-la-Ruelle, Coligny Caserne,
St Jean-de-Braye, La Chapelle Hospital, Saran Airfield, Harbor Barracks, Olivet...
Evening:
Dinner in La Chapelle St Mesmin.
May 7th
Morning:
Riley Fields Ceremony, visit of
baseball installations, and reception
Afternoon:
Visit Orleans High School building (pre-1960)
and other selected locations on Maison Fort, now
the home of the 12e Regiment de Cuirassiers
(French 2nd Amored Brigade).
Evening:
Illumination of the Cathedral, Joan of Arc celebration (tribune seating will be provided for you).
May 8th
Morning:
May 8th Military Commemoration Ceremony
& Visit to St Jean de la Ruelle and reception
with the neighborhood association.
Afternoon:
May 8th Military Parade
Please contact elyzabeth.riley@gmail.com
to confirm your participation if you
haven’t already done so.
Riley Fields
Update: The search is over.
This 1966 aerial photo, discovered by Gilles Heccan,
revealed the location of the fields, long overgrown and forgotten until rediscovered in late 2021.
Maison Fort
Baseball
Diamonds
Our sincere thanks to the officers and men of the
12e Regiment de Cuirassiers for their enthusiastic assistance in uncovering the remnants of Riley Fields and sponsoring the plaque ceremony on May 7.
I’ve been searching for Riley Fields for many
years, and thanks to the Orleans American
School Former Students Facebook group,
I found it. At least, the general location of
where it used to be. Thank you everyone.
Riley Fields was named after my father
Captain James D. Riley who died in the
terrible crash in Olivet in 1958. The troops
were on their way to Lebanon when the
accident occurred in the early morning hours of July 17.
The accident shocked and saddened the tight-knit military community as well as their French neighbors and co-workers.
On May 30th 1959, the American Youth Activities of the Orleans Area Command dedicated their recently completely Little League Baseball Fields as a memorial to him for his devotion to organizing and coaching baseball. The fields were constructed in such a manner that the home plate of each of the four fields face the memorial adorned with a bronze plaque and flanked by the French and American flags.
It appears that Riley Fields has disappeared and no one knows what happened to it.
If you have any information about Riley Fields or the crash in
Olivet that you would like to share, please contact me.
Elizabeth Riley
Email Elizabeth
Cpt James D. &
Mrs. Barbara F. Riley
Oregon Newspaper Article
Frenchman Arrested
The Big Picture
Camp Cazaux
Do you have photos or memories of Camp Cazaux? Please share them:
Email Mike
SS United States
Memorabilia from SS United States courtesy Jud Spence, OHS '63.
USNS Alexander M. Patch
USNS Alexander M. Patch (originally the USS Admiral R. E. Coontz)
General de Gaulle shakes hands with Lt, Gen, Alexander M, Patch,
CG US, 7th Army at a ceremony, held in Saverne (France), (February 11, 1945). Getty Images.
USNS General Simon B. Buckner
USNS William O. Darby
USNS David C. Shanks
USNS Geiger
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