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War History Online
Castro Kept The Frozen Body of An American Pilot As Evidence After The Bay of Pigs Invasion
By Jesse Beckett,
2024-08-14
In 1961, during the disastrous Bay of Pigs Invasion, the United States discreetly dispatched members of the Alabama Air National Guard on a secret mission to aid the assault. The American participation in Cuba was shrouded in secrecy and carried out unofficially.
The failed invasion became a major embarrassment for the CIA, particularly after the discovery of Lt. Thomas "Pete" Ray's remains. For years, the US government kept from acknowledging and recovering the airman's body, which only boosted the notoriety of the event.
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 intercepted by Cuban soldiers and shot. Ray's body was then recovered and preserved on ice. Although the United States denied any involvement in the attack, Castro was aware that the CIA was responsible. He aimed to definitively demonstrate US involvement, and Ray's body was the most compelling proof.
Despite this, the US remained resolute. The CIA persistently denied any connection and refused to return Ray's body. To his family and friends, the air national guardsman seemed to have disappeared without any explanation, unaware that the government knew precisely what had occurred.
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.
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.
can you blame him.? the CIA, Was doing everything to frame Cuba for shit they did not do. we practically shoved Cuba into comu ist arms with the WAR MICHINES. LIES AND FALSE FLAG OPS. THANK GHWB, and Johnson fir that. Kennedy tried to stop it and was killed over it.how date a measily president get in the way of the military, industrial complexes. ambitions !
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