In 1961, during the ill-fated Bay of Pigs Invasion, the United States covertly sent personnel from the Alabama Air National Guard on a secret CIA mission to support the attack. Working unofficially, the American involvement in Cuba remained a tightly held secret.
The invasion turned into a huge embarrassment for the CIA, especially after the body of Lt. Thomas “Pete” Ray was found. The US government avoided recognizing and claiming the airman’s remains for many years, adding to the episode’s lasting infamy.
Bay of Pigs Invasion
In 1961, the US orchestrated and funded an invasion along Cuba’s southwestern coast, entrusting Cuban exiles with its execution. Initially, the plan encompassed air and naval capabilities to ensure its success. However, upon the arrival of the 1,500-strong invasion force, they encountered minimal support. As news of the attack spread globally, US President John F. Kennedy opted to curtail the use of airpower.
To conceal its involvement, the government undertook elaborate measures, such as painting US aircraft in Cuban colors to sow confusion. The invading party and pilots underwent training by American forces and the CIA. To maintain uniformity with the Cuban Air Force, which flew the Douglas B-26 Invader, the same aircraft was chosen for the mission.
By 1961, the aging 1940s-era bomber was exclusively operated by the Alabama Air National Guard, and pilots from this aerial militia were selected to train and oversee the invaders. Nonetheless, they were strictly prohibited from actively participating in any 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. Ray’s body was then collected and placed on ice. Although the US was desperately refusing to take any responsibility for the attack, Castro knew the CIA was pulling the strings. He wanted to prove without a doubt the US had been involved, and Ray’s body was the best way to do it.
However, the US wouldn’t budge. The CIA continued to deny any involvement and, therefore, wouldn’t repatriate Ray’s body. To the airman’s family and friends, he’d simply vanished without any explanation, as they were unaware that the government knew exactly what 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.