Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: DIRECTOR, FBI
To: SAC, MM
Document date: 5/3/61
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

5/27/201

AGENCY :

RECORD NUMBER :

RECORD SERIES :

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

FBI

124-10298-10239

HQ

2-1693-2, 3

Released under the John

. Kennedy

issassination Recorde

Collection Act of

1992

(44 USC 2107 Note!.

Case#:NW 53074 Date:

05-25-2017

Document Information

ORIGINATOR :

FROM:

TO:

TITLE:

FBI

SAC, MM

DIRECTOR, FBI

DATE: 05/03/1961

PAGES:

14

SUBJECTS :

INTERPEN, GROUP, ANTICOMMUNIST LEGIONNAIRES,

ARMS, ARRESTS, DESCR, RES, FRD, ACA, FUNDS, MIL SERV,

CRIMINAL ACT

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS: 4

CURRENT STATUS : Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 08/05/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS:

INC MEMO, LHM

v9.1

HH 53074

DocId: 32309452

Page 1

21

---

## Page 2

SOrIONAL FORM NO. 10

5010-104-01

UNITED STATES

, VERNMENT

Memorandum

LAL

TO

DIRECTOR, FBI

DATE: MAY 1 1 1961

SUBJECT:

SAC, MIAMI

(2-312)

ЗАКИ ИННАО

ANTI-COMMUNIST

WEGIONNAIRES

fines

ALL INFORMATION CONTAZNED

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED

EXCEPT WHERE SHOWN

OTHERWISE

NM

Re Miami teletype to Bureau, 5/3/61.

211319L

Enclosed are nine copies of letterhead memorandum

dated and captioned as above at Miami.

MM I-2 18(MM 639-5.76414)

Miami will continue to follow activities of

captioned organization through established

sources.

GERALD PATRICK HENNING was interviewed in connection

With case entitled "JAMES LINWOOD GENTRY, JI. - IS

RA - CUBA", Bufile 105-78365.

- CUBA;

P

TApes (ve entry

- Bureau (Encls. 9) (RM)

3

• Miami

(1 - 105-3973)

RJD: mgw

(5)

face

- 86628

an

GENCLOSURE n

-Glassified by

26 cards

LEE GHAEY

5-23-61

C& JUN &

19810

NW 53074 DocId: 32309452

Page 2

1/30/305

UPT NEG-39

13 i,el

2 - 193

A 1. 110 8.EMAY 16.1961

E211

CU UNRECON

COPY FILED IN

---

## Page 3

Classifet tya

sity car.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTI

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

2-312

Miami, Florida

MAY # 1 1968

CIA HAP

SECTION TO

DECLAR

ID/OR

RELEA

MASTON

IN THIS OCCAICA

KP. 10-16-97

Re: ANTI-COMMUNIST LEGIONNAIRES

11-4-97

(JFK)

The April 26, 1961 edition of the "Miami News"

a newspaper published daily in Miami, Florida, contained

an article stating that a new group calling itself the

Anti-Comminist Legionnatres Intended to ask the United

States Government for recognition and to supply it with

arms and materials. A spokesman for the group said that

young Americans were sickened by what happened to the

brave band of Cubans that invaded Cuba the previous week

and want to help them.

B. APraux:

4721

The article stated that the commander of this

organization, former Army Major George Tanner, age 37,

of West. Palm Beach, Florida, said the group is going

to be trained for guemlla combat. The men's ages range

from 19 to 37 and most of them have had some military

experience.

3. stea

Paul Alvic, age

• 24, from New York City, second

in command, stated the group was not getting paid, was not

looking for money, but the communists would have to be

fought sooner or later and that the United States" welfare

Was

at stake as well as Cuba's.

He said the present need

was for uniforms, food and a large place to train the men.

Alvic said the group is not connected with any agency of

the United States Government or Cuban rebel organization.

The men in the group have drifted in from some 20 different

states, having been previously turned down at Cuban recruit-

ing centers.

The organization included a judo expert from

Lexington, Kentucky, and an intelligence man with Korean

War experience.

AGENCY State, Cia, Dro, Custons,

DATE FORW. 5-zZ-6

HOW FORW

BY KUS/B4

1693-3

ENCLOSURE!

... (ПК):

74 53074

DocId: 32309452

Page 3

---

## Page 4

GONHSENTAL

Re: ANTI-COMMUNIST LEGIONNAIRES

On April 28, 1961, MY Tol, who has been

connected with Cuban revolutionary activities for the

past three years and who has furnished reliable infor-

mation in the past, advised that the leader of this

organization; a tall American with a blonde mustache,

name unknown,

was recruiting in Miami for membership

in this organization for future military action against

This leader claimed that he was awaiting clearance

from the United States Goverment, which he expected to

obtain in about two days and that he was in contact

with different Cuban revolutionary leaders.

MM T-I said this American leader claimed to

have worked with Sergio Sanjenis, former Castro Government

official presently in jail in Cuba

for counterrevolutionary

activities

MM. Tol advised that Ed Colby of New York Gity

had joined this group and is active in it. MM Tol

explained that Colby is an American citizen of doubtful

reliability who has been previously connected with Cuban

revolutionary activities.

MM T-1 explained that this

organization claimed to have between 45 and 50 members

in Miami. Some of the members were staying at the Hotel

Cuba, some were living In Miami Bayfront Park, and some

were meeting at the Hotel Everglades.

Miam, Florida, advised

that there were some Americans residing at that hotel

and that at 11:00 A. M. that day, Julio fernandez:

representative of the Frente Revolucionario Democratico

(FRD), an anti Castro organization, was going to talk

to some of the Americans at that hotel.

Kambis said that Jerry (Last Name Unknown) »

a tall blond American, claimed to be a

former aide to

William Alexander Morgan, an expatriated American and

2

HH 53074 DooId:32309452 Page 4

---

## Page 5

CONFIDENTIAL

Re: ANTI-COMMUNIST LEGIONNAIRES

S. W. Third Street and 1925 S. W. 4th Street, Miami,

the latter address being a house owned by a Mrs.

Hamilton,

who furnished some of these members with

free food and housing prior to her throwing them out. (u)

MM T-1 described George Tanner as white male,

American; 38 - 40 years of age; light brown hair;

50 708,

165 1bs., from West Palm Beach, Florida;

former

to be married to a nurse.fe m

MM T-I said that between ten and fifteen members

of the organization are usually in Bayfront Park unsuccess-

fully trying to recruit additional members but claim that

more members

will be coming from different parts of the

United States: MoTEl said at colby is unily wielA

Jerry and that their present residence is unknown.

MM. T-1

stated that Tanner selected different

individuals in this organization to be officers and appointed

the majority of the members as either captains or majors.

When it became obvious that Tanner knew nothing about mili-

tary affairs and was doing ridiculous things, the organization

threw him out and Jerry Hannon became the leader of the

organization. "Hannon has claimed he left the Cuban Revolu®

tionary Army more than a year ago, says he works with Sanchez

Arango, who claims he is sending a PI boat with supplies to

Cuba and will try and obtain support from the United States

Government and Cubans fos the finti Commist Legionnaires. 0/us

MM ToI said that the training camp established

by this organization in the Florida Everglades is located

somewhere two or three miles west of the Tamiami Fishing

Camp on the Tamiami Trail between Tampa and Miami, Florida.

*After about two days at this camp, a forest or park ranger

told them that theywould have to move and they could not

remain at that camp site but would be free to operate at

a site about ten miles west of where they were flu)

4

HH 53074 DooId:32309452 Page 5

---

## Page 6

Re: ANTI-COMMUNIST LEGIONNAIRES

MM T-I advised that it had been ascertained

that Hannon and Colby and two more men were temporarily

residing"at a house located near 10th Street and S. W.

9th Avenue,

• Miami,

Florida. that night Colby and Hannon

FLA

were expected to meet with five Americans who are U.'S.

Army Reservists and will be offered jobs as instructors

for this organization.

MM T-I described these Americans

1939

as (First Name Unknown

Mc raLland, white male, age 22 years;

(First Name Unknown) Razon;

, an American in his 20'g; another

white male American,

own and (First Name Unknown)

Davis, a Negro CAM)

L.1:

On May

3, 1961, Sergeant Charles Sapp, Intelli-

gence

Unit, Miami Police Department, advised that Arthur

Redmond and Dan

Merlin of 4241 N.W. 24th Avenue,

Miam1,

Ton that date drove past Bayfront Park, Miami, and

shouted "Vive Fidel".

In the right that followed,

Redmond o. FUR ALL

and Merlin, Walter Alfrederaven, KarlyKnoch, RasEmory,

Hargraves and Alonzo Allen

were arrested. Sapp said that

FLA

with the exception of Merlin and Redmond, the other persons

involved were members of the Anti-Communist Legionnaires

who had been frequenting Bayfront Park. Sapp said the

leader of this organization

is Jerry Hannon, white male,

about 29 years of age, 6' 8"

• residing at the Hotel Cuba,

Miami.

On May 3, 1961, Alonzo Allen, 777 N. W. 28th

Street,

, Miami, advised that he had been a member of this

organization which had been in existence for about a week.

The original Idea was

started in Oklahoma or Texas.

Different American military veterans came to Miami looking

towards joining anti-Castro rebel organizations for some

military action against the government of Cuba.

George

Tanner, who until

recently was the leader of this loose-

knit organization, claims to have contact with very impor-

tant persons but two days previously was expelled from

the

organization.

As of two days ago the organization had

46

members and Allen was the Intelligence Officer or person

5

HH 53074 DooId: 32309452 Page 6

---

## Page 7

MIDENTIA

Re: ANTI-COMMUNIST LEGIONNAIRES

On May 5, 1961, MM Tol advised that inasmuch

as the invasion of Cuba by anti-communist rebels on

April 17, 1961 was a fallure, the morale of Cuban revolu-

MM Tol explained that the

different established Cuban revolutionary organizations

have never recruited Americans, have never taken Americans

and, although these organizations would accept many

donations of equipment, generally never took Americans

along on proposed military expeditions.

Now there is

no hope of overthrowing the

present Cuban Government by military action, consisting

of only anti-communist Cuban rebels, and Cubans in Miami

are asking for United States and Organization of American

States intervention. The Cubans feel that they cannot

overthrow the Castro Government alone and are depending

upon outside help.

Therefore, recruiting activity has

ceased and although the Cubans are grateful that indivi

duals and members of the Anti-Communist Legionnaires

want to help, the Cubans are not interested.

the can in co

MM T-1 said

that persons active in revolutionary activities do not

expect Anti-Communist Legionnaires to leave Miami, parti-

cipate in any action against Cuba and think it will be

only a matter of time until the organization dissolves.

MM T-1 explained that Miami has been a place

attracting all sorts of adventurers and opportunists

and that the Anti-Coumunist Legionnaires is just one of

.

the many such organizations that have come and gone.

MM T-I on May 5, 1961 advised that Colonel

Roberto Casanova. Miami Beach,

Florida, is one of the

leading Venezuelan revolutionists in Miami, Florida,

working to overthrow the present government of Venezuela.

Casanova has been contacted by one of the representatives

of the Anti-Communist Legionnaires, has been told of the

training camp the organization has

in the Florida Ever-

glades, and Casanova is expected to send a representative

to inspect the fratning camp on esthe May 7 of 8, 19617S04)

10

NW 53074 DooId: 32309452 Page 7

---

## Page 8

DERAL

BUREAU OF INS

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

MAY 3

1961

TELETYPE

Mr. Tolson

Mr. Parsons

Mr

Mr. Behnon

Callahan.

Vr. Conra

Varn BeLoac

Mr. Evans

Mr. Malone.

Mr. Rosen

Mr. Tavel

Mr. Trotter.

Mr. W.C.Sullivan

Tele. Room

Mr. Ingram

Miss Gandy

URGENT

5=3-51

10-52

AM EST

PS

TO

DIRECTOR, FBI

DECLASSIFIED B

ON 1194...540

TROM SAC, MIAMI 2P

NEUTRALITY MATTER

MIAMI

ANTI COMMUNIST LEGIONAIRES, NM. MM SIX THREE NINE DASH SADVISED THAI

NEWSPAPER PUBLICITY HAS CÁSUED ABOUT THIRTY AMERICAN ADVENTURERS

TO COME TO MIAMI RECENTLY TO JOIN ANTI COMMUNIST CUBAN CAUSE. THERE

IS NOW ABOUT THIRTY SUCH AMERICANS IN MIAMI. ABOUT TWENTY CÄRE IN

A CAMP OUTSIDE OF MIAMI HAVE NO HOUSING OR EQUIPMENT AND LIVE ON

SNAKES AND SWAMP CABBAGE. PRESENT LEADER OF THE GROUP IS JERRY

HANNON FROM CALIFO WHO CLAIMS TO BE FORMER AIDE TO WILLIAM ALEXANDER

MORGAN, EXPATRIATED AMERICAN IN CASTRO-S ARMY WHO WAS RECENTLY

EXECUTED. FIVE OF THESE AMERICANS ARE UNSUCCESSFULLY BUT OPENLY

TRYING TO RECRUIT IN MIAMI BAYFRONT PARK. FOUR OF THE MEMBERS HAVE

BÉEN ARRESTED BY THE POLICE FOR MINOR VIOLATIONS.

SOURCES SAY MAJORITY

VETERANS,

END: PAGE ONE

lt to Stalo, CIA, ON1, 051

MAY 15 1968

504-61

RDSipur,

26 MAA HAS NO OBJECTION TO

11

DECLASSIFICATION AND/OR

RELEASE OF CALVE ORMANDI

CONFTDENTAT

IN THIS DOCUMENT. KP

110-N0-97

SLDIKSRE

11-4. 07 (JFK)

NW 53074 DooId: 32309452 Page 8

---