Tosh Plumlee

[James Richards]

Hi Tosh,

Quite some time back on another forum we were discussing the guy in the image below, the one wearing the silver cross around his neck. Due to some unfriendly people who kept redirecting the thread, I found myself completely confused.

Can you identify this guy for me and was the man on the far right, (cropped out of the image) William Weiland?

Cheers,

James

[Tim Carroll]

Quite some time back on another forum we were discussing the guy in the image below, the one wearing the silver cross around his neck. Due to some unfriendly people who kept redirecting the thread, I found myself completely confused.

I believe the man wearing the silver cross was identified as Sergio Sanchez, brother of Celia Sanchez.

The next morning, November 22, 1963, about 4:30-5 a.m., our weather briefing was not favorable for a VFR flight into Dallas's Red Bird airport. We selected Garland as an alternate in case the weather had not improved by the time we arrived near Dallas air space.... I only began to learn the full scope of the operation from my pilot Rojas and a field operative friend of mine named Sergio.... Although my specific assigned function was only as a pilot, upon arriving at Redbird Airport, Sergio asked me if I wanted to come along and see the President. I could also act as a spotter for him and his team, which, he said, were assigned to the south side of the plaza. I was told other members of the team would be patrolling the north side and the overpass. I understood we would be looking for a type of triangulation ambush. I gladly accepted Sergio's offer. It seemed like an adventure I didn't want to miss. We were driven from Red Bird Airport to a place not far from the Oak Cliff Country Club, then driven to Dealey Plaza, where we (Sergio and I) checked various areas and attempted to spot potential members of an attack team from the position on the South Knoll.... While on the south knoll, Sergio and I were attempting to evaluate the most logical places where shooters might be located, but everything was confused, the timing was off, team members were late getting into position. They were not where they were supposed to be and the limited radio contacts that we had with them were not working, or spotty at best. It was soon after our arrival that the motorcade arrived. When the shots rang out, I had the impression of 4 or 5 shots, with one being fired from behind and to my left on the South Knoll, near the underpass and south parking lot. While leaving via the south side of the underpass near the train tracks, Sergio and I smelled gunpowder....

While he's at it, maybe Tosh could identify the men in the above photo?

T.C.

Edited December 22, 2005 by Tim Carroll

[William Plumlee]

Hi Tosh,

Quite some time back on another forum we were discussing the guy in the image below, the one wearing the silver cross around his neck. Due to some unfriendly people who kept redirecting the thread, I found myself completely confused.

Can you identify this guy for me and was the man on the far right, (cropped out of the image) William Weiland?

Cheers,

James

James. The man in the photo center is my friend "Sergio" the man that Raul is shaking hands is Wm Weiland who flew into Raul's camp in a hellicopter from Gitmo. He was with the State Department Washing, DC ( he was also refered to as Wm. Whicha (pho) in some references as to Dunkins work. The Life Magazine article "The United Fruit Hostages", photos by Andrew St George 1957 (I think) ID's him correctly. This is not the Sergio of Dallas fame.

There is another picture out there somewhere of Sergio of Dallas fame. It was taken at the Dark Horse Bar, West Palm Beach some years later. He is sitting at the bar and I think a "Parrot or doll monkey he is holding. I took the picture I did see that picture posted at one time. Perhaps you have seen it.

At Raul's safe camp, there was another American there that day in 1957 from Gitmo base Tom Moseness (pho) he was known as "The Cowboy". He was only around for a short time . He got me hooked up with the person in front of me at the burned out building. Velma Espin was code name Debroa. Raul later married Thelma Espin and I think they are still together.

Sergio of Dallas fame died in San Juan in 2000

Edited December 6, 2005 by William Plumlee

[William Plumlee]

Quite some time back on another forum we were discussing the guy in the image below, the one wearing the silver cross around his neck. Due to some unfriendly people who kept redirecting the thread, I found myself completely confused.

I believe the man wearing the silver cross was identified as Sergio Sanchez, brother of Celia Sanchez.

The next morning, November 22, 1963, about 4:30-5 a.m., our weather briefing was not favorable for a VFR flight into Dallas's Red Bird airport. We selected Garland as an alternate in case the weather had not improved by the time we arrived near Dallas air space.... I only began to learn the full scope of the operation from my pilot Rojas and a field operative friend of mine named Sergio.... Although my specific assigned function was only as a pilot, upon arriving at Redbird Airport, Sergio asked me if I wanted to come along and see the President. I could also act as a spotter for him and his team, which, he said, were assigned to the south side of the plaza. I was told other members of the team would be patrolling the north side and the overpass. I understood we would be looking for a type of triangulation ambush. I gladly accepted Sergio's offer. It seemed like an adventure I didn't want to miss. We were driven from Red Bird Airport to a place not far from the Oak Cliff Country Club, then driven to Dealey Plaza, where we (Sergio and I) checked various areas and attempted to spot potential members of an attack team from the position on the South Knoll.... While on the south knoll, Sergio and I were attempting to evaluate the most logical places where shooters might be located, but everything was confused, the timing was off, team members were late getting into position. They were not where they were supposed to be and the limited radio contacts that we had with them were not working, or spotty at best. It was soon after our arrival that the motorcade arrived. When the shots rang out, I had the impression of 4 or 5 shots, with one being fired from behind and to my left on the South Knoll, near the underpass and south parking lot. While leaving via the south side of the underpass near the train tracks, Sergio and I smelled gunpowder....

While he's at it, maybe Tosh could identify the men in the above photo?

T.C.

All I know about him is he was with Frank's Colum 9, or had been with, I was told. I had his war name at one time and his picture was hanging up in the old Alpha-66 Hdq before they move. I am the one behind him. I was only there because a weapons drop to Raul and Debora Espin (pho) went bad and they help me get out after our aircraft went down. I was not active with the rebels as some have said. Some of this has been posted on other places and it should be checked out. I am working of memory. I sure some will take exceptions. None the less, I am doing my best and can only talk about what I know or what I think I know. In 1957 I was 20.

[James Richards]

There is another picture out there of Sergio of Dallas fame. It was taken at the Dark Horse Bar, West Palm Beach some years later. He is sitting at the bar and I think a "Parrot or doll monkey he is holding. I did see that picture posted at one time. Perhaps you have seen it. (Tosh Plumlee)

This the guy, Tosh?

Does the name Andreas ring a bell?

James

Edited December 6, 2005 by James Richards

[William Plumlee]

There is another picture out there of Sergio of Dallas fame. It was taken at the Dark Horse Bar, West Palm Beach some years later. He is sitting at the bar and I think a "Parrot or doll monkey he is holding. I did see that picture posted at one time. Perhaps you have seen it. (Tosh Plumlee)

This the guy, Tosh?

Does the name Andreas ring a bell?

James

Thats him. I once denighed the name "Sergio" when someone peged him as being in Dallas. He was alive then and that caused a falling out between me and his famay. Its seems someone was writing a book and they said I fingered him as being with me in Dallas. About that time all hell broke loose and I was caused a lot of trouble and called alot of names by many on these forums. Again. designed to stop research. I expect itt to happen again soon. Perhaps you have the other postings that caused so much flak. Thanks James. Its refreashing. I did protect Him until the end as he did with me.

There is another picture out there of Sergio of Dallas fame. It was taken at the Dark Horse Bar, West Palm Beach some years later. He is sitting at the bar and I think a "Parrot or doll monkey he is holding. I did see that picture posted at one time. Perhaps you have seen it. (Tosh Plumlee)

This the guy, Tosh?

Does the name Andreas ring a bell?

James

James. Look on the left forearm at the Tatoo. Its a RedBird, same as mind. Ask Jim Marrs what that means and how we got them.

[Tim Carroll]

Which Sergio was Sergio Sanchez, brother of Celia Sanchez, the mother of Felipe Castro?

T.C.

[William Plumlee]

There is another picture out there of Sergio of Dallas fame. It was taken at the Dark Horse Bar, West Palm Beach some years later. He is sitting at the bar and I think a "Parrot or doll monkey he is holding. I did see that picture posted at one time. Perhaps you have seen it. (Tosh Plumlee)

This the guy, Tosh?

Does the name Andreas ring a bell?

James

Thats him. I once denighed the name "Sergio" when someone peged him as being in Dallas. He was alive then and that caused a falling out between me and his famay. Its seems someone was writing a book and they said I fingered him as being with me in Dallas. About that time all hell broke loose and I was caused a lot of trouble and called alot of names by many on these forums. Again. designed to stop research. I expect itt to happen again soon. Perhaps you have the other postings that caused so much flak. Thanks James. Its refreashing. I did protect Him until the end as he did with me.

There is another picture out there of Sergio of Dallas fame. It was taken at the Dark Horse Bar, West Palm Beach some years later. He is sitting at the bar and I think a "Parrot or doll monkey he is holding. I did see that picture posted at one time. Perhaps you have seen it. (Tosh Plumlee)

This the guy, Tosh?

Does the name Andreas ring a bell?

James

James. Look on the left forearm at the Tatoo. Its a RedBird, same as mind. Ask Jim Marrs what that means and how we got them.

And too; Andras was his childhood name before he got taged as 'Sergio" at Fort Benning, GA

Which Sergio was Sergio Sanchez, brother of Celia Sanchez, the mother of Felipe Castro?

T.C.

Tim. If I remember right I think it was Sergio with the cross, but reall not sure anymore. I think you have the other information that was freash in my mind sometime ago. Whatever that is is right. If you have it Post it. I think it will help in research and clear some things.

I think is was in a email or post about "....protecting the operation at all cost...' or mabe that went to Jim Marrs.

[James Richards]

Thats him. I once denighed the name "Sergio" when someone peged him as being in Dallas. He was alive then and that caused a falling out between me and his famay. Its seems someone was writing a book and they said I fingered him as being with me in Dallas. About that time all hell broke loose and I was caused a lot of trouble and called alot of names by many on these forums. Again. designed to stop research. I expect itt to happen again soon. Perhaps you have the other postings that caused so much flak. Thanks James. Its refreashing. I did protect Him until the end as he did with me. (Tosh Plumlee)

Thanks, Tosh.

I didn't keep any of those insults and slurs. I was subjected to plenty via email which really made me laugh. I have never responded to threats and those idiots were blowing smoke anyway.

I don't know or have ever spoken to Jim Marrs but I can guess the meaning behind the tattooes. Did Andreas go through Benning with Felix Rodriguez and Posada Carriles or was that a different time frame?

Cheers,

James

[William Plumlee]

Thats him. I once denighed the name "Sergio" when someone peged him as being in Dallas. He was alive then and that caused a falling out between me and his famay. Its seems someone was writing a book and they said I fingered him as being with me in Dallas. About that time all hell broke loose and I was caused a lot of trouble and called alot of names by many on these forums. Again. designed to stop research. I expect itt to happen again soon. Perhaps you have the other postings that caused so much flak. Thanks James. Its refreashing. I did protect Him until the end as he did with me. (Tosh Plumlee)

Thanks, Tosh.

I didn't keep any of those insults and slurs. I was subjected to plenty via email which really made me laugh. I have never responded to threats and those idiots were blowing smoke anyway.

I don't know or have ever spoken to Jim Marrs but I can guess the meaning behind the tattooes. Did Andreas go through Benning with Felix Rodriguez and Posada Carriles or was that a different time frame?

Cheers,

James

I don't know first hand. But I was told later that he had been in the Army Specialized School with some heavy players. I think that would have been after Ft Blis,s, but not sure. I am not familiar with the dates that they were there at Benning. But I think it was after the BoP affair.

One time I was told by Sergio when we had been drinking that he had had specialized training at an Army base that I new nothing about. I thought he ment Ft Bliss and the "Red Bird" matter At the time I thought that strange because we were"Army" then. At the time I did not think much about it because of the drinking and braging.

I wish people had taken matters into consideration when I was trying to get researchers to look at what I Thought I Had. Time has a way of slipping from you. However, there was to much special projects out there and it seems the info I had at the time did not fit into their projects. So it went into file 13. Perhaps that is where it belongs. Thanks James your a hard worker as I remember. Tosh

[Lee Forman]

Tosh.

Hi res book scan of Cancellare, cropped and enhanced.

Interesting.

- lee

[Gerry Hemming]

Quite some time back on another forum we were discussing the guy in the image below, the one wearing the silver cross around his neck. Due to some unfriendly people who kept redirecting the thread, I found myself completely confused.

I believe the man wearing the silver cross was identified as Sergio Sanchez, brother of Celia Sanchez.

The next morning, November 22, 1963, about 4:30-5 a.m., our weather briefing was not favorable for a VFR flight into Dallas's Red Bird airport. We selected Garland as an alternate in case the weather had not improved by the time we arrived near Dallas air space.... I only began to learn the full scope of the operation from my pilot Rojas and a field operative friend of mine named Sergio.... Although my specific assigned function was only as a pilot, upon arriving at Redbird Airport, Sergio asked me if I wanted to come along and see the President. I could also act as a spotter for him and his team, which, he said, were assigned to the south side of the plaza. I was told other members of the team would be patrolling the north side and the overpass. I understood we would be looking for a type of triangulation ambush. I gladly accepted Sergio's offer. It seemed like an adventure I didn't want to miss. We were driven from Red Bird Airport to a place not far from the Oak Cliff Country Club, then driven to Dealey Plaza, where we (Sergio and I) checked various areas and attempted to spot potential members of an attack team from the position on the South Knoll.... While on the south knoll, Sergio and I were attempting to evaluate the most logical places where shooters might be located, but everything was confused, the timing was off, team members were late getting into position. They were not where they were supposed to be and the limited radio contacts that we had with them were not working, or spotty at best. It was soon after our arrival that the motorcade arrived. When the shots rang out, I had the impression of 4 or 5 shots, with one being fired from behind and to my left on the South Knoll, near the underpass and south parking lot. While leaving via the south side of the underpass near the train tracks, Sergio and I smelled gunpowder....

While he's at it, maybe Tosh could identify the men in the above photo?

T.C.

All I know about him is he was with Frank's Colum 9, or had been with, I was told. I had his war name at one time and his picture was hanging up in the old Alpha-66 Hdq before they move. I am the one behind him. I was only there because a weapons drop to Raul and Debora Espin (pho) went bad and they help me get out after our aircraft went down. I was not active with the rebels as some have said. Some of this has been posted on other places and it should be checked out. I am working of memory. I sure some will take exceptions. None the less, I am doing my best and can only talk about what I know or what I think I know. In 1957 I was 20.

-----------------------------------------

The photo was taken by Wendell Hoffman, Bob Taber's photographer. Wendell gave some of his exposed roles of film to Tom Dunkin, who took them out to Miami.

When Wendell was at No Name Key, during September 1962, he met with Tom, and reminded Dunkin that: He had never seen any of the pix after that point in time [April 1957]. Dunkin told him he had them at his office -- at the newspaper he worked for [The Glades County Democrat, Moorehaven, Florida]. I presume that Dunkin never did deliver the negatives, but somehow the pic had been published 5 years earlier with no pic credits for Wendell [1957].

The Rebel carrying the long-barreled 12 gauge shotgun is then Lt. Juan Nuiry Sanchez. [later Comandante, and retired as a General].

The Rebel walking behind him is then Lt. William Galvez, who by July 1958, was elevated to Comandante, and given his own command of a Column. After Batista fled, and Fidel & Co. were enroute to Havana [8 days on a slow trip, taken precautions] -- Raul ordered Galvez to take over the large army barracks near Cardenas, Matanzas Province [Campo Goicuria].

During February Galvez was ordered to cease roller-skating around town, as it was pissing off the M-27-Julio underground veterans, and they felt he should concentrate on business: Such as the Batistiano drive-by shooters, and rounding up the war criminals, who were then still at large, and continued to rape and pillage.

My platoon was ordered to rush there by Cmdte. Camilo Cienfuegos, and to thereafter to take care of said war criminal problems. We had several courtsmartial, and executions !!

Column # 9 was headed by Cmdte. Hubert Matos, and he had NO "Gringos" in the column, just one ex-German sailor/marine. Matos can be contacted in Miami. [He served 24 years in Castro's Gulags, having been arrested after he resigned (October 1959) his command of Camaguey Province and denounced the Communist attempts to indoctrinate his troops.]

Chairs,

GPH

____________________

[William Plumlee]

Quite some time back on another forum we were discussing the guy in the image below, the one wearing the silver cross around his neck. Due to some unfriendly people who kept redirecting the thread, I found myself completely confused.

I believe the man wearing the silver cross was identified as Sergio Sanchez, brother of Celia Sanchez.

The next morning, November 22, 1963, about 4:30-5 a.m., our weather briefing was not favorable for a VFR flight into Dallas's Red Bird airport. We selected Garland as an alternate in case the weather had not improved by the time we arrived near Dallas air space.... I only began to learn the full scope of the operation from my pilot Rojas and a field operative friend of mine named Sergio.... Although my specific assigned function was only as a pilot, upon arriving at Redbird Airport, Sergio asked me if I wanted to come along and see the President. I could also act as a spotter for him and his team, which, he said, were assigned to the south side of the plaza. I was told other members of the team would be patrolling the north side and the overpass. I understood we would be looking for a type of triangulation ambush. I gladly accepted Sergio's offer. It seemed like an adventure I didn't want to miss. We were driven from Red Bird Airport to a place not far from the Oak Cliff Country Club, then driven to Dealey Plaza, where we (Sergio and I) checked various areas and attempted to spot potential members of an attack team from the position on the South Knoll.... While on the south knoll, Sergio and I were attempting to evaluate the most logical places where shooters might be located, but everything was confused, the timing was off, team members were late getting into position. They were not where they were supposed to be and the limited radio contacts that we had with them were not working, or spotty at best. It was soon after our arrival that the motorcade arrived. When the shots rang out, I had the impression of 4 or 5 shots, with one being fired from behind and to my left on the South Knoll, near the underpass and south parking lot. While leaving via the south side of the underpass near the train tracks, Sergio and I smelled gunpowder....

While he's at it, maybe Tosh could identify the men in the above photo?

T.C.

All I know about him is he was with Frank's Colum 9, or had been with, I was told. I had his war name at one time and his picture was hanging up in the old Alpha-66 Hdq before they move. I am the one behind him. I was only there because a weapons drop to Raul and Debora Espin (pho) went bad and they help me get out after our aircraft went down. I was not active with the rebels as some have said. Some of this has been posted on other places and it should be checked out. I am working of memory. I sure some will take exceptions. None the less, I am doing my best and can only talk about what I know or what I think I know. In 1957 I was 20.

-----------------------------------------

The photo was taken by Wendell Hoffman, Bob Taber's photographer. Wendell gave some of his exposed roles of film to Tom Dunkin, who took them out to Miami.

When Wendell was at No Name Key, during September 1962, he met with Tom, and reminded Dunkin that: He had never seen any of the pix after that point in time [April 1957]. Dunkin told him he had them at his office -- at the newspaper he worked for [The Glades County Democrat, Moorehaven, Florida]. I presume that Dunkin never did deliver the negatives, but somehow the pic had been published 5 years earlier with no pic credits for Wendell [1957].

The Rebel carrying the long-barreled 12 gauge shotgun is then Lt. Juan Nuiry Sanchez. [later Comandante, and retired as a General].

The Rebel walking behind him is then Lt. William Galvez, who by July 1958, was elevated to Comandante, and given his own command of a Column. After Batista fled, and Fidel & Co. were enroute to Havana [8 days on a slow trip, taken precautions] -- Raul ordered Galvez to take over the large army barracks near Cardenas, Matanzas Province [Campo Goicuria].

During February Galvez was ordered to cease roller-skating around town, as it was pissing off the M-27-Julio underground veterans, and they felt he should concentrate on business: Such as the Batistiano drive-by shooters, and rounding up the war criminals, who were then still at large, and continued to rape and pillage.

My platoon was ordered to rush there by Cmdte. Camilo Cienfuegos, and to thereafter to take care of said war criminal problems. We had several courtsmartial, and executions !!

Column # 9 was headed by Cmdte. Hubert Matos, and he had NO "Gringos" in the column, just one ex-German sailor/marine. Matos can be contacted in Miami. [He served 24 years in Castro's Gulags, having been arrested after he resigned (October 1959) his command of Camaguey Province and denounced the Communist attempts to indoctrinate his troops.]

Chairs,

GPH

____________________

And now the rest of the story:

The picture first appeared public in Life Magazine in 1957 in reference to the hostages taken by Raul at his northern camp. I think it was taken by Andrew St George. It was taken at the time that the US State Department sent a represenitive from Washington DC (Wieland or Whica ??) to negotiate the release of the American hostages. I think they settled for tractors. I am not sure if Dunkin covered this meeting at Raul's camp. I was only aware of one photographer from life Magazine.

I was under the impression that Frank Parez (phon) headed up Col 9. At least this was what I understood at the time from Frank Bender of Miami who had or was working with Westbrok (Rosales) of the DR's M-26-7. with CIA support to the students at the University of Havana I do know that Matos did head up one of the Columns. None the less I am the man behind to one you refer to as Galvez as documented in the released CIA- 202-104-10406-10212 and the FBI 302's OO Miami. Those files were released in 1996 and 1991 Congressional request and FOIA to John Winer and Dick Mc Call of Senator John Kerry's Staff.

William Galvez was with Castro in the southern part of Cuba at the time of the United Fruit hostages. There was one "Gingo with Matos for a short time before he went back to Gitmo and that was Tom Mosness (pho) also known as "The Cowboy

The rebel in front of me could be the one you speak of. But I had another name in mind a war name perhaps you can tell me that name? The picture was staged for press coverage and Velma Espin (Debra) gave me the M-1 and I fell in behind this person. Carlos was behind me. Later these rebels (Carlos) got me to a safe place and I was picked up by a Texaco PBY from Marathon and then went to Miami.

Carlos's daughter and her boyfried were both killed by Batista' goons at the Humboldt Apartment complex during a meeting. This was after the Palace Attack on Batista. Marquesto, an informant, was responsible for tipping off the police. Some years later Carlos killed Marquesto by throwing him, chained and bound froma C-46 Regina Air Cargo aircraft. I was co-pilot and Rojas was pilot IC. Sergio (?)Sanchez did have a brother who was with Castro in 1958 but not sure if he was at Rauls hidaway at the time of the hostages in 1957.

I was debriefed at Sloopy Joes on Flager St downtown Miami and the Mc Allister Hotel. (Biscanne and Flagger) We meet others across the street at Bay Front Park where we meet with Johnney Farentallo and John Martino and Larry Allen. John Martino went to a rooming house (Nellies? I think it was) to pick up a package and then all of us went to the safe house on SW 9th Terrace in Coral Gables. I had a room at the Green Mansions, Miami Springs across from Eastern Airlines. I worked for Riddle Airlines and Regina Air Cargo of Miami The Dodge Corp was our cut-out cover employment (Dodge Island is where stolden guns were stored from National Guard Armories. They were later flown, by me and others, to the M-26-7 and the Students.

"Poinsetta"

Tosh

[William Plumlee]

duplicate post

Tosh.

Hi res book scan of Cancellare, cropped and enhanced.

Interesting.

- lee

Lee Thanks:

Tom Willson some years ago did photo work on this print. Peter Lemkin somehow got the orginal neg for him. Tom said his findings were two people in the shadow of the trees one down low on the slope of the hill; one a little higher up. The light areas are in contrast and brake the shadow lines of the tree and tree trunk, indicating something iwithn the shadows. He also said to Lemkin and others that he thought he had found another person near the overpass at the parking lot near parked cars.

He and Peter had a falling out and he would not release the picture or his findings to Pete. I talked with Tom before he died and he told me he wanted to do more work before he released his findings. Jim Marrs also knows this information and I think was told the same thing by Wilson, however I am not sure about this. It does appear from just new tech that people are at that location. I have said for years that this needs to be investigated futher, but for whatever reasons nobody has taken it serious. In fact some have gone out of their way to discrerdit the possibility that someone is there even to the point of altering the picture to discredit the south knoll story.

Tom Died suddenly. Not sure of the date. Jack White also studied the picture but he said there was nothing there almost to the effect 'it was all in my head", hence no real work was done on it at that time 1989-90 by him.

thanks for the work you've done on this. What do you think?

Edited December 7, 2005 by William Plumlee

[Gerry Hemming]

Quite some time back on another forum we were discussing the guy in the image below, the one wearing the silver cross around his neck. Due to some unfriendly people who kept redirecting the thread, I found myself completely confused.

I believe the man wearing the silver cross was identified as Sergio Sanchez, brother of Celia Sanchez.

The next morning, November 22, 1963, about 4:30-5 a.m., our weather briefing was not favorable for a VFR flight into Dallas's Red Bird airport. We selected Garland as an alternate in case the weather had not improved by the time we arrived near Dallas air space.... I only began to learn the full scope of the operation from my pilot Rojas and a field operative friend of mine named Sergio.... Although my specific assigned function was only as a pilot, upon arriving at Redbird Airport, Sergio asked me if I wanted to come along and see the President. I could also act as a spotter for him and his team, which, he said, were assigned to the south side of the plaza. I was told other members of the team would be patrolling the north side and the overpass. I understood we would be looking for a type of triangulation ambush. I gladly accepted Sergio's offer. It seemed like an adventure I didn't want to miss. We were driven from Red Bird Airport to a place not far from the Oak Cliff Country Club, then driven to Dealey Plaza, where we (Sergio and I) checked various areas and attempted to spot potential members of an attack team from the position on the South Knoll.... While on the south knoll, Sergio and I were attempting to evaluate the most logical places where shooters might be located, but everything was confused, the timing was off, team members were late getting into position. They were not where they were supposed to be and the limited radio contacts that we had with them were not working, or spotty at best. It was soon after our arrival that the motorcade arrived. When the shots rang out, I had the impression of 4 or 5 shots, with one being fired from behind and to my left on the South Knoll, near the underpass and south parking lot. While leaving via the south side of the underpass near the train tracks, Sergio and I smelled gunpowder....

While he's at it, maybe Tosh could identify the men in the above photo?

T.C.

All I know about him is he was with Frank's Colum 9, or had been with, I was told. I had his war name at one time and his picture was hanging up in the old Alpha-66 Hdq before they move. I am the one behind him. I was only there because a weapons drop to Raul and Debora Espin (pho) went bad and they help me get out after our aircraft went down. I was not active with the rebels as some have said. Some of this has been posted on other places and it should be checked out. I am working of memory. I sure some will take exceptions. None the less, I am doing my best and can only talk about what I know or what I think I know. In 1957 I was 20.

-----------------------------------------

The photo was taken by Wendell Hoffman, Bob Taber's photographer. Wendell gave some of his exposed roles of film to Tom Dunkin, who took them out to Miami.

When Wendell was at No Name Key, during September 1962, he met with Tom, and reminded Dunkin that: He had never seen any of the pix after that point in time [April 1957]. Dunkin told him he had them at his office -- at the newspaper he worked for [The Glades County Democrat, Moorehaven, Florida]. I presume that Dunkin never did deliver the negatives, but somehow the pic had been published 5 years earlier with no pic credits for Wendell [1957].

The Rebel carrying the long-barreled 12 gauge shotgun is then Lt. Juan Nuiry Sanchez. [later Comandante, and retired as a General].

The Rebel walking behind him is then Lt. William Galvez, who by July 1958, was elevated to Comandante, and given his own command of a Column. After Batista fled, and Fidel & Co. were enroute to Havana [8 days on a slow trip, taken precautions] -- Raul ordered Galvez to take over the large army barracks near Cardenas, Matanzas Province [Campo Goicuria].

During February Galvez was ordered to cease roller-skating around town, as it was pissing off the M-27-Julio underground veterans, and they felt he should concentrate on business: Such as the Batistiano drive-by shooters, and rounding up the war criminals, who were then still at large, and continued to rape and pillage.

My platoon was ordered to rush there by Cmdte. Camilo Cienfuegos, and to thereafter to take care of said war criminal problems. We had several courtsmartial, and executions !!

Column # 9 was headed by Cmdte. Hubert Matos, and he had NO "Gringos" in the column, just one ex-German sailor/marine. Matos can be contacted in Miami. [He served 24 years in Castro's Gulags, having been arrested after he resigned (October 1959) his command of Camaguey Province and denounced the Communist attempts to indoctrinate his troops.]

Chairs,

GPH

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And now the rest of the story:

The picture first appeared public in Life Magazine in 1957 in reference to the hostages taken by Raul at his northern camp. I think it was taken by Andrew St George. It was taken at the time that the US State Department sent a represenitive from Washington DC (Wieland or Whica ??) to negotiate the release of the American hostages. I think they settled for tractors. I am not sure if Dunkin covered this meeting at Raul's camp. I was only aware of one photographer from life Magazine.

I was under the impression that Frank Parez (phon) headed up Col 9. At least this was what I understood at the time from Frank Bender of Miami who had or was working with Westbrok (Rosales) of the DR's M-26-7. with CIA support to the students at the University of Havana I do know that Matos did head up one of the Columns. None the less I am the man behind to one you refer to as Galvez as documented in the released CIA- 202-104-10406-10212 and the FBI 302's OO Miami. Those files were released in 1996 and 1991 Congressional request and FOIA to John Winer and Dick Mc Call of Senator John Kerry's Staff.

William Galvez was with Castro in the southern part of Cuba at the time of the United Fruit hostages. There was one "Gingo with Matos for a short time before he went back to Gitmo and that was Tom Mosness (pho) also known as "The Cowboy

The rebel in front of me could be the one you speak of. But I had another name in mind a war name perhaps you can tell me that name? The picture was staged for press coverage and Velma Espin (Debra) gave me the M-1 and I fell in behind this person. Carlos was behind me. Later these rebels (Carlos) got me to a safe place and I was picked up by a Texaco PBY from Marathon and then went to Miami.

Carlos's daughter and her boyfried were both killed by Batista' goons at the Humboldt Apartment complex during a meeting. This was after the Palace Attack on Batista. Marquesto, an informant, was responsible for tipping off the police. Some years later Carlos killed Marquesto by throwing him, chained and bound froma C-46 Regina Air Cargo aircraft. I was co-pilot and Rojas was pilot IC. Sergio (?)Sanchez did have a brother who was with Castro in 1958 but not sure if he was at Rauls hidaway at the time of the hostages in 1957.

I was debriefed at Sloopy Joes on Flager St downtown Miami and the Mc Allister Hotel. (Biscanne and Flagger) We meet others across the street at Bay Front Park where we meet with Johnney Farentallo and John Martino and Larry Allen. John Martino went to a rooming house (Nellies? I think it was) to pick up a package and then all of us went to the safe house on SW 9th Terrace in Coral Gables. I had a room at the Green Mansions, Miami Springs across from Eastern Airlines. I worked for Riddle Airlines and Regina Air Cargo of Miami The Dodge Corp was our cut-out cover employment (Dodge Island is where stolden guns were stored from National Guard Armories. They were later flown, by me and others, to the M-26-7 and the Students.

"Poinsetta"

Tosh

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"Frank Pais" had already started an uprising in Oriente Province on the 30th of November, 1956. The original plan was for the yacht Granma to land a week before, so that Fidel and the 85 others (Castro revised the number down to"82" -- when some of the original guys defected) would provide a strike force in support.

Castro, and the "Granma" got lost, and eventually were forced to land at Belic, the westernmost cape of Oriente -- and over 150+ miles away from where Frank had staged the uprisings. Fidel's arrival was for naught, the uprising failed; and Frank Pais was later captured, tortured, and murdered.

Fidel's guys were wiped out [down to just a dozen], but were saved by "Campesino/Rustler/Peasant" Cresencio Perez. Cresencio led them to safe have in the foothills of the Sierra Maestra.

[The survivors of the Frank Pais uprising later created the "30th of November" organization. When Raul left Fidel behind in the Sierra Maestra [April 1958], he headed north to the Sierra Cristal. Within weeks he had done more skirmishes than Fidel's laggards had accomplished in the previous 17 months (since Belic). Raul styled his operation as "The Frank Pais 2nd National Front!!]

The so-called "United Fruit Hostages" story did not involve anybody from "Mamita Yunai", as ALL of the hostages were from the Nicaro Mining Corporation. "Abuelo" Silva Tablada confiscated an OS2U "Kingfisher"

at the Nicaro airstrip.

[not the single-float model catapulted off of battleships, but the "tail-dragger" 3-wheeler].

"Abuelo" quickly rigged the bird with some bombs and attacked a nearby Bastistano fortress -- and they all surrendered within 8 minutes !!

"NO Tractors" -- just a deal like with the Marines and Sailors held hostage later. "STOP arming & refueling Batista B-26s and F-47 "Thunderbolts" at GITMO. However, they did confiscate all of the trucks, Jeeps, etc.

and took them back up into the hills. They also "appropriated two "D-8" Bulldozers to be used for improving the two airstrips, and for plowing out one more.

I have a 7 inch thick file on one Wm. Robert Plumlee [from ALL Mil/Agency/Bureau sources -- plus some interesting letters from Dick Clark and his show producers]; and I really don't think that you want me to "scan" them ??!!

The picture taken of Raul was NOT taken at his Mayari Arriba headquarters, but at the Nicaro Mining airstrip.

Both CIA officers Ron Cruziero and Wiecha accompanied Deputy-Und/Secy-Lat/Am-Affairs Wm. A. Wieland from GITMO.

The USMC helicopter was from Marine Squadron HMR-362, normally based at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. The pilot was a buddy of mine, and we flew together with the 1st Marine Brigade in the Pacific

[3rd M.A.W./FMF-Pacific]. NO C-46 ever landed at Raul's two airstrips -- Mayari Arriba or at Calabasas.

The largest aircraft to ever land there, other than Howard K. "Davy" Davis' "Stagger-Wing Beech" was the two F-51 "Mustangs" that Michel Yabor & Adolpho Diaz flew in during November 1958. The ONLY gun-runners flying in for Raul in the "2nd Front" (Sierra Cristal) were Pedro Diaz Lanz, Yabor, Sergio Sanjenis, Jorge Sotu, and Davy.

[Diaz Lanz was later to replace Capt. Orestes Del Rio as Chief of the Rebel Air Force after arrival in Havana. He later defected, along with his brother Marcos, and Frank Fiorini Sturgis during July 1959.]

Juan Nuiry Sanchez (with the shotgun) used the war name "Anibal" for a short time [spanish for "Hannibal"].

The pic was taken by Wendell Hoffman, and it was within 200 yards of Fidel's headquarters at Minas del Frio.

William Galvez's column took the long march to the West [with Che & Camilo], leaving Fidel to keep bullxxxxting the peasants to death.

Galvez missed the battle of Santa Clara, but that didn't stop him from grabbing a load of guns and ammo from my plane -- after landing at Mayajigua [Las Villas]. He also took Paul Hughes load from his twin Commanche -- and that load was supposed to go to Menoyo and the S.F.N.E. Rebels in the Escambray.

Raul later married "Vilma Espin". She died of breast cancer over 20+ years ago !! Her war name "Debora" was never used after Jan. 1959.

I have William Galvez's telephone number in Cardenas, if anybody wants to call and verify that: He is the one walking behind "Anibal". Or I can get his e-mail address from his cousin in Coral Springs, Florida.

You are dealing with somebody he was there, "Walking-the-Walk" -- "But-NOT-Talking-the-Talk" -- Just LISTENING & LEARNING !!

We are a small "family", and despite our "political" differences, we oftentimes stay in touch [between CONUS & Cuba] -- so I wouldn't tread too close to the real history/facts of guys who came from a small "family" of Rebels !! And especially not when we ALL knew one another; and quite a few of those still breathing, continue to stay in touch -- as often as it is safe to do so.

NOTE: The #21 Humboldt address was never used after Echevarria, Joe Westbrook, et al. were arrested, and later murdered shortly thereafter -- That is to say; NOT after the week of 13th March, 1957.

There were about 50 "Gringos" and other nationalities, working the "Cuban Deal"; and those of us who have survived, stay in contact. Like I said, it was a small "Family" and we all knew one another.

Gerhard Droller ["Frank Bender"] worked for Harvey in Berlin until 1960, and was never near Cuba until then !! He was totally ignorant of recent Cuban history, and didn't knpw a word of Spanish !! So I am puzzled how he would have mentioned any of the #21 guys, or anybody else previous to 1960 ??!!

NOBODY ever flew out of the Marathon, Key West or Coral Reef Country Club airstrips during the 1957-59 period. Monroe County Sheriff's deputies [paid by Customs] watched all three strips like Hawks. Everybody always flew NORTH if departing south Florida, and then turned east near Hobe Sound [Palm Beach]. After hugging the deck across Lake Okeechobee, and crossing the A.D.I.Z. at under 200 feet, so as to stay under Grand Bahama Air Force Base [u.S.] radar until making the turn to the southeast , and past the radar at Governeur's Harbor [Eleuthera, 57 miles northeast of Nassau].

[The "Hobe Sound Maneuver" kept us below the N.A.S. "Banana River" Radar. Its name changed to Patrick Air Force Base when the "Zoomies" took over.]

The farthest south anybody ever launched from was: At the abandoned Immokalee airport [Naples]; and that was for delivering to the Pinar del Rio ProvinceRebels [westernmost Cuba] that Neil Macauley later joined. [Cmdte. Dermidio Escalona in command] Flying due west [and on the deck] till well past Fort Jefferson [Dry Tortugas]; insured our avoiding the radars at Tampa [McDill], Avon Park Gunnery Range [Polk County], and N.A.S. Boca Chica [Key West] !!

Chairs,

GPH

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