The Shocking Truth About Castro's Frozen American Pilot

In 1961, during the ill-fated Bay of Pigs Invasion, the United States covertly sent members of the Alabama Air National Guard on a secret mission to support the attack. The American involvement in Cuba was kept under wraps and conducted unofficially.

The botched invasion turned into a major humiliation for the CIA, especially following the discovery of Lt. Thomas "Pete" Ray's remains. For years, the US government avoided recognizing and recovering the airman’s body, which only increased the incident's infamous status.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

In 1961, the US planned and funded an invasion on the southwestern coast of Cuba, entrusting Cuban exiles with the mission. The initial plan involved air and naval support to ensure success. However, upon arrival, the 1,500-strong force encountered little support. As news of the invasion spread globally, US President John F. Kennedy opted to restrict the use of air support.

To hide its involvement, the US government employed complex 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 chosen for the mission.

By 1961, the aging bombers from the 1940s were only used by the Alabama Air National Guard, and pilots from this unit were selected to train and supervise the invaders. However, they were explicitly banned from participating in any active missions.

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.