Why Did Fidel Castro Keep An American Airman's Frozen Body After The Bay of Pigs Invasion?

In 1961, amid the unsuccessful Bay of Pigs Invasion, the United States discreetly dispatched members of the Alabama Air National Guard on a secret operation to assist with the assault. The American role in Cuba was shrouded in secrecy and operated unofficially.

The failed invasion became a huge embarrassment for the CIA, particularly after the remains of Lt. Thomas "Pete" Ray were found. For years, the US government refrained from acknowledging and retrieving the airman’s body, which further cemented the episode's notorious reputation.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

In 1961, the US orchestrated and financed an invasion on Cuba's southwestern coast, assigning the task to Cuban exiles. The initial strategy included air and naval support to guarantee success. However, when the 1,500-strong force arrived, they found little backing. As news of the invasion spread worldwide, US President John F. Kennedy decided to limit the use of air support.

To hide its involvement, the US government employed complicated tactics, including repainting American aircraft in Cuban colors to create confusion. The invaders and pilots received training from American forces and the CIA . To match the Cuban Air Force, which operated the Douglas B-26 Invader, the same aircraft were selected for the mission.

By 1961, the aging 1940s-era bombers were solely used by the Alabama Air National Guard, and pilots from this unit were chosen to train and oversee the invaders. However, they were strictly forbidden from engaging in any active missions themselves.

Lt. Thomas "Pete" Ray was shot down

Lt. Thomas Ray of the Alabama Air National Guard was shot down while piloting a B-26 Invader during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. The aircraft was hit by Cuban anti-aircraft fire shortly after attacking Fidel Castro 's field headquarters. In similar attacks, they dropped napalm onto targets below.

Although US pilots were originally prohibited from participating in the invasion, the CIA reluctantly allowed them to fly after the situation became more desperate.

According to the Los Angeles Times , the agency reinforced the secrecy of the operation to the airmen: "Cannot attach sufficient importance to fact that American crews must not fall into enemy hands. In the event this happens, despite all precautions, crews must state [they are] hired mercenaries, fighting communism, etc.; U.S. will deny any knowledge."

The CIA continued to deny their involvement

After landing, Thomas Ray and his flight engineer, Leo Baker, were discovered by Cuban soldiers and shot. The former's body was then collected and placed on ice. While the United States denied any responsibility for the attack, Castro knew the CIA was behind it. He wanted to prove unequivocally that the US was involved, and Ray's body was the best evidence.

However, the US remained unyielding. The CIA continued to deny any involvement and refused to repatriate Ray's body. To his family and friends, the air national guardsman had vanished without any explanation; they were unaware the government knew what exactly had happened.

Lt. Thomas "Pete" Ray's body is returned to the United States

If the CIA wanted to repatriate Thomas Ray's body, it would have to admit American involvement in the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Even the Cubans were confused by the government's cold treatment of the deceased.

Following his disappearance, Ray's wife began trying to find some answers about his death, which were being held secret by those associated with the Alabama Air Guard. A number of rumors have circulated since about the CIA's bullying of those who refused to let the topic die. One mentioned in the Los Angeles Times article details how the agency threatened to institutionalize Ray's wife if she continued searching for answers.

Ray's daughter tried to recover his body

In 1979, Cuba became aware that Ray's daughter, Janet Ray Weininger, was trying to recover her father's body. As a result, his body was returned to the US. It was also around this time that the CIA privately informed Weininger that Ray had participated in the Bay of Pigs Invasion and had actually been awarded the agency's highest award: the Distinguished Intelligence Cross.

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Despite Thomas Ray's body having been returned and Weininger receiving her much-sought after answers, the CIA still refused to publicly confirm the airman's involvement in the Bay of Pigs Invasion until 1998, when additional media pressure was applied. In addition to this, it was revealed the agency had also set up a fake company to pay the families of the deceased pilots a regular sum of money, and even funded their children's post-secondary education.

As this information was finally public knowledge, Ray's name was finally added to the Book of Honor in the foyer of the CIA's headquarters.