3 March 2026
Visit of Patrick O’Hara,
nephew of 2nd Lt. Francis J. Cummings.
Le Ployron (Oise)
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En français 
After contacting the municipality of Le Ployron, Mr. Frédéric Poulard, a resident of Marseille, expressed a desire to visit the village accompanied by his American friend Patrick Francis O’Hara and his wife Vivian, coming from Orlando, Florida.
Patrick O’Hara is the nephew of 2nd Lt. Francis J. Cummings, a navigator aboard one of the two B-24 “Liberator” bombers who tragically lost his life on 18 March 1944, in a mid-air collision near the village.
Upon being asked, Mr. Régis Grévin, mayor of the village, took charge of organizing the reception for this American family in partnership with our Association.
Almost exactly 82 years to the day after that horrific day on 18 March 1944, the visit began at the village hall in Le Ployron, where the American family was welcomed by the mayor and by the Durieux family, whose father had rescued Sgt. Charles Payne, the sole survivor of that tragedy. A “Welcome” banner was displayed on the facade of the village hall, which was decked with American and French flags. An exhibition was presented by the ASAA-Oise. Patrick O’Hara and his wife, visibly moved, clearly did not expect such a warm welcome.
We then made our way to the cemetery, where a plaque erected after the war commemorates the airmen who were buried there.
One speech followed another, beginning with that of Mr. Frédéric Poulard.
Patrick O’Hara then took the floor, expressing his deep gratitude to the villagers who had cared for the airmen’s remains.
“I am here on behalf of the family of one of the lost airmen, 2nd Lt. Francis J. Cummings. He was my mother’s brother. I bear his name. I am here today to thank the citizens of Le Ployron, on behalf of my family and all the families of the fallen airmen, for the courage, respect, and compassion this village showed by providing a dignified Christian funeral for these 19 brave men and for having courageously guided the sole survivor, Sgt. Charles Payne, to safety. A big thank you ! God bless you and your families.”
Next came the speech by Mr. Régis Grévin, mayor of the village.
“...We are pleased to welcome you today to honor the memory of Lt. Francis Cummings. Patrick, you are the nephew of Lt. Francis Cummings and you have come especially from the United States for this moment of remembrance. Your presence among us is deeply moving. It gives a face, a family, and a story to this name.
It is therefore with a deep respect that I speak today to honor his memory and that of these young airmen… On 18 March 1944, the sky over our village was the scene of a terrible tragedy. Two bombers collided, shattering mid-air the destinies of nineteen airmen. We will never forget their names. Only one man, Sgt. Charles F. Payne, survived this chaos. Rescued by Mr. Marceau Durieux and a few other residents, he was hidden in the water tower of our village and later evacuated by the Resistance networks.
If we live in peace today, it is thanks to the courage of these men who never saw their loved ones again. We will forever be indebted to them. At the cost of their lives, they made it possible for us to live in freedom. For their sacrifice, for our freedom: Thank you.
…Our gathering shows that more than 80 years later, the memory remains alive. It also shows that the friendship between our two nations is still strong.
On behalf of the village, we express our deep gratitude to Francis Cummings and to all the soldiers who fell for France. We will not forget them. Thank you ».
A moment of silence was observed in memory of the airmen. Wreaths were laid one after another, followed by the American and French national anthems.
The visit continued at the church where the airmen’s funeral had been held. A statement by Roger Levasseur, a member of the village’s Resistance movement and an eyewitness to the events of 18 March 944, was read.
Next, we visited the two crash sites. Since both aircraft had crashed in the middle of fields, it was impossible to get very close to them that day due to plowing and the poor condition of the paths. However, our American friends were able to see the crash sites of the two bombers from a distance.
The entire audience was then invited back to villagey hall for a drink. Gifts were exchanged. As a souvenir of his visit, Patrick O’Hara, once again visibly moved, was presented with a few small pieces of his uncle’s bomber, which he will take back to the United States as a treasured keepsake.
Throughout this magnificent day of remembrance, Patrick O’Hara repeatedly thanked the villagers who, at the time, had given his uncle and his unfortunate crewmates a dignified burial. He also thanked the families (including the descendants of the Durieux family) who, despite the risk of reprisals, had taken Sgt. Charles Payne in to help him avoid arrest. After so many years, he was able to appreciate how much this small village keeps the memory alive of that terrible tragedy.
This day will remain in the memory of everyone present.