ARRB-CIA ISSUES: WILLIAM PAWLEY
Originator: CIA
Document date: 06/22/1993
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

1104-10332-100

2022 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

SEORET

CIA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

RELEASE IN FULL

2000

CSI-0307/93

22 June 1993

MEMORANDUM FOR:

Deputy Director for Operations

FROM:

David D. Gries

Director, Center for the study of Intelligence

SUBJECT:

JFK Assassination Records;

Release of William Pawley's Name

Com

We continue to believe that the Agency cannot justify

withholding the fact of William Pawley's relationship with CIA,

in view of the public record. I ask that you personally read the

attached brief items, which clearly reveal a relationship. Two

of the items are from official documents--one from General

Maxwell Taylor's Board of Inquiry, the other from the record of

the House Assassination Committee. The other contains quotes of

Pawley's own statements, which are included in a book by well-

known authors.

David D. Gries

Attachments:

A.

B.

Investigation

of Assassination

First Meeting

c.

Deadly

Secrets

SPERET

---

## Page 2

13-00000,

SUBJECT:

JFK Assassination Records;

Release of William Pawley's Name

DCI / CSI/HRG/JFPereira:hfs/x30335 (22 Jun 93)

Distribution:

original - Addressee

1 - D/CSI

1 - C/HRG

1 - HRG files

spares

---

## Page 3

13-00000

INVESTIGATION OF THE ASSASSINATION

OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY

APPENDIX TO

HEARINGS

BEFORE THE

SELECT COMMITEE ON ASSASSINATIONS

OF THE .

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NINE FIrTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

VOLUME X

ANTI-CASTRO ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

LEE HARVEY OSWALD IN NEW ORIHANs

---

## Page 4

13-00000

Government until the end of 1966(45) the group's activities, like-

those of

other anti-Castro organizations, dechned in intensity and

ell'ectiveness.

Because the DRE was an estremely militant action' group,.

the committee was especially interested

in DRE operations prior

to the assassination of President Kennedy on

November 22, 1903.

Is noted, one of the etlects of the Blanquita raid in September

Castro cause. (46) Among those who wound up supporting the DRE

ras Miami multimillionaire William Pawley, a staunch righting

onserrative. former owner of the Havana bus system, and a frichc

of former CIA Director Allen Dulles. (47) nother supporter of the

IRE was a friend of l'awler's, former Ambassador to Italy Clare

Knothe Luce, (48) then the wife of Time-Life publishing boss Henry

Luce, and later, a Nison appointee to the koreign Intelligence Advisory

In its review of DRE activities, the committee took special

interest in a relatively recent series of crents involving Clare Bootho

Luce. In October 1075. Luce was being interricued by Vera Glaser,

a reporter and columnist for Knight newspapers. when she told Glaser

of an alleged incident involving nembers of the DRF and Lee Marvey

Osal. 149 At the time. Senator Richard Schweiker and Senator

Garr Mart were in the midst of their subcommuttee mvestigation of

pao Konnedy assassination as part of the senate select comminee

inquiry into intelligence activity.

According to Glaser's report of the intervie. this is basically

what. Tonce told her:

Jace said that after the failure of the Bar of Pigs invasion.

her friend. William Pawler, persuaded her to help sponsor a Meet of

motorboats for a group of anti-Castro Cubans who. Pawiey envisioned.

would he Cuban "Flying Tigers." lying in and out of Cuba on intelli-

Ince-gathering missions. Parley had helned start Gen. Claire Chen-

nault's original Flying Tigers in World War II. Ice said she agreed

to sponsor one boat and its thire man cret. She said she met with this

Chan boat crew about three times in New York and. in 1062, mub-

lished a stort ahout tliem in Life magazine. (5n)

Following the missile crisis in Ortoher 1962. Taer said that the

Kennedy administration clamped domn on exile activities ngninst

Cula. and the Parley-sponsored hoat rnids more discontinued. Iner

said she never sam her "roung Cubans." as she caller them. again. (on

Then. on the night of Kennedy's assassination. Toer said shr

recriveal a call from New Orleans from me of the boat cree Cubans.

Taire told Glaser she would call him

Julin Fernandez. She said the

Cuban told her he called hecause he wanted to tell her almut some in-

formation he had concerning the President's killer. Tee Harrer Os-

Ta ll. (52)

Toer told Glaser that, according to " Julin Fernander." Ostald

mad amroached the anti-Castro group to which Fernandez helonged

and niterer his serrices as a potential Castin assassin. The Cubans.

however. did not trust Oswald. suspected he was reallo a Communist,

---

## Page 5

13-00000

E

183.8

. c9

H5!

1992

loscone

DEADLY

SECRETS

The CIA-Mafia War Against Castro

and the Assassination of J.F.K.

ian)

WARREN HINCKLE

WILLIAM W. TURNER

3 0002 16626 0

Thunder's Mouth Press

.. '.

---

## Page 6

13-00000

44

DEADLY SECRETS

the Talisman Sugar Corporation. In addition, he was a real estate de-

veloper and, of course, a millionaire many times over. (He was also

a man of rather extreme political views. In a publication of the arch-

conservative American Security Council, former Ambassador

Pawley once advocated unleashing Chinese Nationalist troops from

Taiwan to run the reds out of Vietnam — and then letting them go

on to an invasion of the Chinese mainland.)

In 1954 Ike formed the Doolittle Committee to forestall a con-

gressional inquiry into CIA covert actions and named Pawley one-

of the four members. The panel was chaired by General Jimmy

Doolittle, like Pawley a famed World War Il aviation figure. The

Doolittle Report said the United States had to abandon its tradi-

tional concepts of fair play in the face of an "implacable enemy" and

"learn to subvert, sabotage and destroy our enemies by more clever,

more sophisticated, and more effective methods than those used

against us." The American people, the report said, might have to be

acquainted with "this fundamentally repugnant philosophy."

Ike bought the Doolttle Report. He issued a follow-up Madona

Security directive seeking the destruction of "international com-

munism" and authorizing "all compatible activities" to achieve that

goal. The Cuba Project was to stretch the definition of compatible.

"I had several conferences with the President," Ambassador

Pawley said, "and finally he was convinced that the anticommunist

Cubans in Florida should be armed and given every assistance to

overthrow the communist regime." This was, of course, in direct

violation of the Neutrality Act, and the Munitions Act to boot. The

old Flying Tiger made a pitch to take over command of the project

himself; his argument was the highly selective one that the CIA was

primarily an intelligence-gathering outfit and should not be simul-

tancously in charge of operations. "Eisenhower wanted me to as-

sume overall command of the operation, with veto power over the

CIA," Pawley told the authors. "But Allen Dulles, joined by Chris-

tian Herter who was easily led, prevailed, and it became a CIA.

operation. "35

On Saint Patrick's Day the red hot line phone rang on Dulles's

desk. It was the President, giving him the green light and promising

to issue a blanket National Security directive so that operations did

---

## Page 7

13-00000

DLY SECRETS

vernment; Batista told the founder of

flying leap. Pawley told the authors

milar, heretofore undisclosed, two-

with Trujillo a short time before the

isinated in a CIA-backed plot. This

: He diplomatically suggested that

overtook him; Trujillo said a furious

‹ his visit to Trujillo was a Miami ac-

who later was to become famous as

Pawley however was leery of the

ut he agreed to see Bayo and his

well. Pawley asked tough questions

e wanted details, for instance, of the

Oriente, where the Russians were

om his days as a youth in Guan-

answers indicating that they were,

nd told him it was a high-risk oper-

scuss with Lieutenant General Pat

If he decided to go ahead, he would

w the Cubans' small boat to the

appointment for Eastland to see

"arrange for me to bring my boat

ind without having to go through

ve be successful in bringing out the

etter judgment and decided to go

•roject's "great importance to the

me when he took a look at Bayo's

ibed it. Out of his own pocket he

Iboat and two large rubber rafts.

I consulted Carter," Pawley said,

ome involved, that the CIA could

he would try to fulfill my request

rmaments expert, a good naviga-

The three who reported for duty

THE SECRET OF THE BROTHERS KENNEDY

193

were the ever-ready Rip Robertson and paramilitaries known only

as Ken and Mike. "I had an excellent radio on board;" Pawley re-

counted. "But I wanted to be in constant touch with the CIA office

in Miami or with the Coast Guard, which could rescue us if any-

thing happened."

William Pawley fumed as John Martino and Eddie Bayo stood

shamefully before him the day before the scheduled departure.

"They told me they had accepted $15,000 from Life magazine,"

Pawley said, "with which they had bought the military equipment

that they needed for the voyage and that Life was to send along a

reporter and a photographer. As far as I was concerned, that blew

the deal. I couldn't conceive of the U.S. government letting me go

ahead under those circumstances."

Dick Billings appealed to Pawley, who finally agreed to speak to

Life managing editor George P. Hunt. Hunt flew down from New

York. He promised that all film would be turned over to Pawley,

and Life would guarantee that no story would be written without

his consent. The promise was put in writing. Pawley called Senator

Eastland and informed him of Life's proposal. Eastland thought it

was all right to go ahead. 41

The Flying Tiger left on schedule with Billings and the three CIA

men on board. Three days later, only hours before the Flying Tiger

was due at the rendezvous point, Pawley took off in a Catalina PBY

flying boat chartered from the Aircraft Ferry Company of Fort

Lauderdale, which frequently rented planes to the CIA. Also on

board was British free-lance photographer Terrence Spencer, who

had been hired by Life, as well as Martino and Bayo and nine of his

commandos. The only reason Pawley had rented the plane was his

strong distrust of the Cubans, who he feared might hijack the Flying

Tiger to Cuba. "I frisked every one of those guys as they got on

board," Pawley said. "At this point I had no assurance of any kind

what type of men I was dealing with— whether they were anti-

Castro or pro-Castro." While the plane was in the air, all the pas-

sengers were locked into a center compartment.

When the Catalina arrived at the atoll, however, the Flying Tiger

wasn't there. She arrived seven hours later — the CIA navigator had

lost his bearings in the murky weather. Pawley unlocked his state-

---

## Page 8

13-00000

Subject:

Time and Place:

Participants:

FIRST MEETING

Memorandum for the Record

First Meeting of General Maxwell

Taylor's Board of Inquiry on Cuban

Operations Conducted by ClA

1400-1800 hours, 22 April 1961,

Quarters Eye

Investigating Committee Members

General Maxwell D. Taylor

Attorney General Robert Kennedy

Admiral Arleigh Burke

Allen W. Dulles

Department of Defense

Major General David W. Gray

Colonel C. W. Shuler

Commander Mitchell

Other Participants

General C. P. Cabell

C. Tracy Barnes

Richard M. Bissell, Jr.

1

54

First Meeting

55

1. After a discussion of procedural matters, it was de-

cided that all papers and documents stemming from the in-

quiry would be retained by General Maxwell Taylor. [

] Chief, Western Hemisphere Division, was des-

ignated recorder of the first meeting.

2. Mr. Dúlles, in his opening remarks, cited the docu-

ment which authorized CIA to conduct paramilitary opera-

tions. This document, NSC 5412, was described as one of the

most secret documents in the U.S. Government. Mr. Dulles

said that under this authority CIA is directed to engage in

activities such as the Cuban operation under the general

supervision of the National Security Council. General Taylor

indicated that he wanted a copy of this document to be made

available to him for his study. General Gray indicated he had a

copy and would give it to General Taylor.

3. [

] was then asked to describe Agency

activities on the Cuban problem prior to the establishment of

the Task Force, i.e., Branch 4 of the Western Hemisphere

Division on 18 January 1960. In his remarks [

].

stated that in late 1958 CIA made two attempts (each

approved by the Department of State) to block Castro's

ascension to power. The first attempt was made in November

1958 when contact was established with Justo Carrillo and the

Montecristi Group. The second attempt was made on or

about the 9th of December 1958 when former Ambassador

William D. Pawley, supported by the CIA Chief of Station in

Havana, [

], and [

], ap-

proached Batista and proposed the establishment of a Junta

to whom Batista would turn over the reins of government.

[

] was queried by the Attorney General as to the

approximate date that the Agency concluded that Castro was

nist, and when this conclusion allyhed the Secretary of State

and the President. [

I commented that there were

reports as early as June or July 1958 during the period that

sailors from Guantánamo were held by Castro forces which

indicated beyond a reasonable doubt that the U.S. was up

against an individual who could not be expected to be accepta-

---

## Page 9

13-00000

44 DEADLY SECRETS

the Talisman Sugar Corporation. In addition, he was a real estate de-

veloper and, of course, a millionaire many times over. (He was also

a man of rather extreme political views. In a publication of the arch-

conservative American Security Council, former Ambassador

Pawley once advocated unleashing Chinese Nationalist troops from

Taiwan to run the reds out of Vietnam- and then letting them go

on to an invasion of the Chinese mainland.)

In 1954 Ike formed the Doolittle Committee to forestall a con-

gressional inquiry into CIA covert actions and named Pawley one

of the four members. The panel was chaired by General Jimmy

Doolittle, like Pawley a famed World War Il aviation figure. The

Doolittle Report said the United States had to abandon its tradi-

tional concepts of fair play in the face of an "implacable enemy" and

"learn to subvert, sabotage and destroy our enemies by more clever,

more sophisticated, and more effective methods than those used

against us." The American people, the report said, might have to be

acquainted with "this fundamentally repugnant philosophy."

Ike bought the Doolitle Report. He issued a follow-up National

Security directive seeking the destruction of "international com-

munism" and authorizing "all compatible activities" to achieve that

goal. The Cuba Project was to stretch the definition of compatible.

"I had several conferences with the President," Ambassador

Pawley said, "and finally he was convinced that the anticommunist

Cubans in Florida should be armed and given every assistance to

overthrow the communist regime." This was, of course, in direct

iolation of the Neutrality Act, and the Munitions Act to boot. Th

ld Flying Tiger made a pitch to take over command of the projec

himself; his argument was the highly selective one that the CIA was

primarily an intelligence-gathering outfit and should not be simul-

taneously in charge of operations. "Eisenhower wanted me to as-

sume overall command of the operation, with veto power over the

CIA," Pawley told the authors. "But Allen Dulles, joined by Chris-

tian Herter who was easily led, prevailed, and it became a CIA

operation. "35

On Saint Patrick's Day the red hot line phone rang on Dulles's

desk. It was the President, giving him the green light and promising

to issue a blanket National Security directive so that operations did

petree

---

## Page 10

13-00000

IDLY SECRETS

vernment; Batista told the founder of

flying leap. Pawley told the authors

nilar, heretofore undisclosed, two-

with Trujillo a short time before the

sinated in a CIA-backed plot. This

• He diplomatically suggested that

overtook him; Trujillo said a furious

his visit to Trujillo was a Miami ac-

who later was to become famous as

Pawley however was leery of the

st he agreed to see Bayo and his

well. Pawley asked tough questions

= wanted details, for instance, of the

Oriente, where the Russians were

om his days as a youth in Guan-

answers indicating that they were,

ad told him it was a high-risk oper-

icuss with Lieutenant General Pat

If he decided to go ahead, he would

w the Cubans' small boat to the

appointment for Eastland to see

"arrange for me to bring my boat

nd without having to go through

re be successful in bringing out the

etter judgment and decided to go

roject's "great importance to the

ne when he took a look at Bayo's

bed it. Out of his own pocket he

boat and two large rubber rafts.

consulted Carter," Pawley said,

me involved, that the CIA could

le would try to fulfill my request

rmaments expert, a good naviga-

he three who reported for duty

THE SECRET OF THE BROTHERS KennedY

193

were the ever-ready Rip Robertson and paramilitaries known only

as Ken and Mike. "I had an excellent radio on board;" Pawley re-

counted. "But I wanted to be in constant touch with the CIA office

in Miami or with the Coast Guard, which could rescue us if any-

thing happened."

William Pawley fumed as John Martino and Eddie Bayo stood

shamefully before him the day before the scheduled departure.

"They told me they had accepted $15,000 from Life magazine,"

Pawley said, "with which they had bought the military equipment

that they needed for the voyage and that Life was to send along a

reporter and a photographer. As far as I was concerned, that blew

the deal. I couldn't conceive of the U.S. government letting me go

ahead under those circumstances."

Dick Billings appealed to Pawley, who finally agreed to speak to

Life managing editor George P. Hunt. Hunt flew down from New

York. He promised that all film would be turned over to Pawley,

and Life would guarantee that no story would be written without

his consent. The promise was put in writing. Pawley called Senator

Eastland and informed him of Life's proposal. Eastland thought it

was all right to go ahead. 4l

The Flying Tiger left on schedule with Billings and the three CIA

men on board. Three days later, only hours before the Flying Tiger

was due at the rendezvous point, Pawley took off in a Catalina PBY

flying boat chartered from the Aircraft Ferry Company of Fort

Lauderdale, which frequently rented planes to the CIA. Also on

board was British free-lance photographer Terrence Spencer, who

had been hired by Life, as well as Martino and Bayo and nine of his

commandos. The only reason Pawley had rented the plane was his

strong distrust of the Cubans, who he feared might hijack the Flying

Tiger to Cuba. "I frisked every one of those guys as they got on

board," Pawley said. "At this point I had no assurance of any kind

what type of men I was dealing with — whether they were anti-

Castro or pro-Castro." While the plane was in the air, all the pas-

sengers were locked into a center compartment.

When the Catalina arrived at the atoll, however, the Flying Tiger

wasn't there. She arrived seven hours later — the CIA navigator had

lost his bearings in the murky weather. Pawley unlocked his state-.

---

## Page 11

13-00000

-

• .

Subject:

Time and Place:

Participants:

FIRST MEETING

Memorandum for the Record

First Meeting of General Maxwell

Taylor's Board of Inquiry on Cuban

Operations Conducted by CIA

1400-1800 hours, 22 April 1961,

Quarters Eye

Investigating Committee Members

General Maxwell D. Taylor

Attorney General Robert Kennedy

Admiral Arleigh Burke

Allen W. Dulles

Department of Defense

Major General David W. Gray

Colonel C. W. Shuler

Commander Mitchell

Other Participants

General C. P. Cabell

C. Tracy Barnes

Richard M. Bissell, Jr.

]

54

First Meeting

55

1. After a discussion of procedural matters, it was de-

cided that all papers and documents stemming from the in-

quiry would be retained by General Maxwell Taylor. [

] Chief, Western Hemisphere Division, was des-

ignated recorder of the first meeting.

2. Mr. Dulles, in his opening remarks, cited the docu-

ment which authorized CIA to conduct paramilitary opera-

tions. This document, NSC 5412, was described as one of the

most secret documents in the U.S. Government. Mr. Dulles

said that under this authority CIA is directed to engage in

activities such as the Cuban operation under the general

supervision of the National Security Council. General Taylor

indicated that he wanted a copy of this document to be made

available to him for his study. General Gray indicated he had a

copy and would give it to General Taylor.

3. [

] was then asked to describe Agency

activities on the Cuban problem prior to the establishment of

the Task Force, i.e., Branch 4 of the Western Hemisphere

Division on 18 January 1960. In his remarks I

]

stated that in late 1958 CIA made two attempts (each

approved by the Department of State) to block Castro's

ascension to power. The first attempt was made in November

1958 when contact was established with Justo Carrillo and the

Montecristi Group. The second attempt was made on or

about the 9th of December 1958 when former Ambassador

William D. Pawley, supported by the CIA Chief of Station in

Havana, [

J, and [

], ap-

proached Batista and proposed the establishment of a Junta

to whom Batista would turn over the reins of government.

] was queried by the Attorney General as to the

approximate date that the Agency concluded that Castro was

unacceptable to the U.S. politically; if not actually a Commu-

nist, and when this conclusion reached the Secretary of State

and the President.

] commented that there were

reports as early as June or July 1958 during the period that

sailors from Guantánamo were held by Castro forces which

indicated beyond a reasonable doubt that the U.S. was up

against an individual who could not be expected to be accepta-

---

## Page 12

13-00000

D

D

0

OFFICE OF THE

DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS

15 June 1993

NOTE FOR:

David Gries

Director

Center for the Study of Intelligence

FROM:

John Berg

Special Assistänt/ADDO

SUBJECT: JFK Assassination Records

See attached memo dated 7 April 1993 by

which Do noted that we do not concur in the

release of information on Pawley's relationship

with the CIA. We continue to have an obligation,

even to persons deceased, to protect sources and

methods. One possible course of action might

be for someone to contact Pawley S tamily

who are apparently witting of his relationship)

and discuss with them their views on the

release of information about his relationship

with us. If they do not raise any objections,

this office would be willing to reconsider our

decision.

S 27212

Attachment

---

## Page 13

13-00000

OFFICE OF THE

DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS,

15 June 1993

NOTE FOR:

David Gries

Director

Center for the Study of Intelligence

FROM:

John Berg

Special Assistant/ADDO

SUBJECT:

JFK Assassination Records

See attached memo dated 7 April 1993 by

which DDO noted that we do not concur in the

methods. One possible course of action might

be for someone to contact Pawley's family

(who are apparently witting of his relationship)

and discuss with them their views on the

release of information about his relationship

with us. If they do not raise any objections,

this office would be willing to reconsider our

decision.

hend

John Berg

Attachment

---

## Page 14

13-00000

SECRET

CIA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

REUBA

/ 2000

CSI 0306/93

9 June 1993

MEMORANDUM FOR:

FROM:

SUBJECT:

Deputy Director for Operations

David D. Gries

Director

Center for the Study of Intelligence

JFK Assassination Records;

Release of William Pawley's Name

l. Based on our review of urk assassination recoras.

we have concluded that the Agency cannot justify withholding

the fact of William Pawley's relationship with CIA. We

request your agreement to release documents that acknowledge

the relationship.

Information that reveals sensitive

sources and methods would be protected.

2.

William Pawley was an unpaid asset of CIA in the

early 1960s, who assisted us in activities targeted against

Cuba.

It is a matter of public record that he was heavily

involved in anti-Castro activities, and that he was in

contact wih DCI Allen Dulles and other senior CIA officials.

Pawley publicly acknowledged his CIA connections.

Clair Boothe Luce told Congress that Pawley persuaded her to

help fund boats to be used in raids against Cuba by anti-

Castro Cubans.

3. There are at least three books and numerous

newspaper and magazine articles that describe in detail

Pawley's contact with CIA and his involvement in covert

action against Castro.

The published record of the House

Special Committee on Assassinations describes Pawley as a

supporter of the DRE (an anti-Castro organization), and a

friend of CIA Director Dulles.

4. In one book, Pawley describes his arrangement with

to launch an operation into cuba.

wanted

to be "in constant touch with the CIA office in

Miami."

The record shows that his family was aware of his

involvement with CIA.

CL BY

(0185904)

DECL

OADR

DR FR

• HUM 4-82

SEeRET

---

## Page 15

13-00000

SUBJECT: JFK Assassination Records;

Release of William Pawley's Name

5.

The JFK Assassination Records Act provides that

information cannot be withheld unless disclosure would

demonstrably harm national security.

There has to be clear

and convincing evidence that disclosure would be so harmful

that it outweighs the public interest. It is not sufficient

to use the mosaic rationale, nor a general concern about the

possible effect on potential assets.

6. The numerous deletions of information and

withdrawal cards in the files on Pawley that will be

released, which comprise a full box, in themselves reveal a

covert relationship.

7.

In view of the standards established by the JFK Act

with

respect to disclosure of records, it is our judgement

that there is no justification for withholding the fact that.

Pawley was a contact of, and collaborated with, CIA in anti-

Castro activities.

Davide

David D.

SECRET

---

## Page 16

13-00000

SECRET

SUBJECT: JFK Asassination Records;

Release of William Pawley's Name

DCI / CSI/HRG/JFPereira:hfs/X30335

Distribution:

original - Addressee

1 - D/CSI

1 - D/HRG

1 - HRG file

(7 Jun 93)

SECRET

---

## Page 17

13-00000;

SECRET

ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET

SUBJECT (Optional)

JFK ASSASSINATION RECORDS; RELEASE OF WILLIAM PAWLEY'S NAME

FROM

Extension

NO.

David D. Gries

Director, Center for the Study of Intelligence

433 Ames Bldg:

TO (Ofsioor designation, noon, and bulking

DATE

CSI 0306/93

DATE

30373

7 June 1993

RECEIVED

OFFICIAL'S

FORWARDED

INITIALS

COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from whom

to whom. Draw. a line across column after each comment.)

10

• JUN 1993

1.

DDO Registry

7E22 OHB

2.

3.

DDO

7E26 OHB

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

FORM

1:92

610

USE PREVIOUS

EDITIONS

SECRET

---

## Page 18

13-00000

!.

US-08

SECRE

DD/023-1026

CIA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

RELEASE IN FULL

07 April 1993

MEMORANDUM FOR:

VIA:

FROM:

SUBJECT:

Deputy Director

for Operations

DC/Information Management Staff

Katherine M. Stricker, DO/ IRO

Operational Status of William D. Pawley in JFK

Collection

1. BACKGROUND: William D. Pawley (201-0077378) born 1893,

millionaire, diplomat, international businessman, adventurer was

an unpaid asset of the CIA in the early 1960's primarily targeted

against Cuba.

Florida, his own reasons for anti-Castro activity and a strong

streak of patriotism.

His activities on our behalf range from

conversations/consultations with Allen Dulles in his DCI's

office, to purchasing a boat with Clare Booth Luce to be used in

a sabotage raid against Cuba.

information to us, funded emigres who were somewhat under our

control and had the ear of high level politicians in Washington.

He was a force to be reckoned with and maintained a high profile

throughout his activities, including bragging/alluding to his

connection with the CIA.

The details of his cooperation with us

have never been acknowledged and, repeatedly since his death, we

have continued to conceal the fact of our relationship with him.

2. ISSUE: Files on Pawley which fill one archive-sized

box are within the JFK Collection being considered for release to

the

• National Archives under the JFK Act of 1992.

a. The initial review by the Historical Review Group

(HRG) recommends release of virtually all of the contents of the

box (less some cryptonyms and names of covert officers) in light

of the semi-overt nature of Pawley's relationship to the Agency

and the common perception that he was a CIA agent.

CI BY 0199835)

DECL OADR

DRV HUM 4-82

SECRET

---

## Page 19

13-000,00

SUBJECT: Operational Status of William Pawley in JEK Collection

b. The Do position is that each document be reviewed

and those which specifically pertain to his CIA affiliation be

withheld i.e. POA requests, other clearance documents, taskings,

meetings with our officers and information which he reported.

While Pawley is now dead, his heirs and colleagues could well be

negatively affected by any disclosure of his CIA relationship. A

larger concern is the chilling effect such a revelation would

have on other assets, current and future, who would be repelled

by CIA's admission of a clandestine relationship post mortem.

3. RECOMMENDATION: Appeal the decision of the HRG'S

initial review to release information on Pawley and request that

the releases involving Pawley be confined to his role as an

historical/political figure which should not reveal his Agency

affiliation.

15 APR 194.3

AGREE WITH RECOMMENDATION:

A bette,

THOMAS A. TWETTEN

CONCUR WITH HRG'S INITIAL POSITION:

Касенік

M strucker

Katherine M. Stricker

2

SEERET

---

## Page 20

13-00.000

CIA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS T

RELEASE IN FULL

2000

26 April 1993

NOTE FOR:

Frank Most

SUBJECT: William Pawley/Appeal

On 23 April, Dave Gries agreed to challenge the DO's

appeal on William Pawley.

To do this he asks that HRG do

the following:

1. Prepare a memo that he can send to Twetten.

-- Develop our argument in the memo, to include

the point that we are following the JFK law.

-- Combine the comments from the various books

into one

-- Add Bill's point that the box (or boxes) will

have a lot of withdrawal cards, indicating

a relationship existed.

2. Attach to the memo other evidence if we have it

e.g., any photo of Pawley with Dulles, congressional

testimony, etc.

Check the PRB again to see if any acknowledgement of

Pawley's relationship was ever made.

John P.

---

## Page 21

13-0,000

SECRET

CIA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

RELEASE IN FULL

/ 2000

22 April 1993

MEMORANDUM FOR:

Director

Center for the Study of Intelligence

FROM:

John F. Pereira

Chief, Historical Review Group/CSI

SUBJECT:

JFK Record/Appeal by DO of HRG Decision/

William Pawley

1. Attached is a memorandum approved by the DDO which

appeals HRG's decision to release information in the JFK

records related to William Pawley's association with CIA.

We make the following points to support HRG'S

position:

a.

William Pawley was a well-known, wealthy

businessman and former ambassador who was openly anti-

Castro. He publicly acknowledged his CIA connections.

b. He is described in press items and the

Congressional record as a friend of DCI Allen Dulles.

He openly sponsored raids by anti-Castro Cubans into

cuba.

Former Ambassador Claire Booth Luce told

Congress that Pawley persuaded her to help fund boats

to be used in raids against Cuba by anti-Castro Cubans.

d. In the book, Conspiracy by Anthony Summers and

in other literature, there are descriptions of a well-

publicized joint operation by CIA and Pawley to capture

two Russian military officers from a Cuban missile site

in 1963.

• It is also noted that Pawley had a hand in

the CIA operation in Guatemala in 1954.

UNCLASSIFIED WHEN SEPARATED

FROM ATTACHMENT

SECRIT

---

## Page 22

13-0000Đ

SEENAT

SUBJECT:

JFK Record/Appealed by DO of HRG Decision/

William Pawley

e. In the book, Bay of Pigs by Peter Wyden, it is

stated that J. C. King, Chief Do/WH had plotted with

Pawley in 1958 to head off Castro's coming to power.

.

The book discusses Pawley's talks with

President Eisenhower which focused on Pawley's

attempt to be named to command a project to

overthrow Castro.

• Pawley is described as having undertaken

missions to Cuba and to the Dominican Republic at

CIA'S

request.

• Pawley is noted as having discussions with

DDCI General Carter about getting CIA assistance

for an anti-Castro operation.

Pawley is quoted as

saying he wanted to be in constant touch with the

CIA station in Miami during the operation.

There are numerous other references in open

sources to Pawley's contacts with Allen Dulles,

J. C. King, and CIA in general.

The record shows his family was aware of his

involvement with CIA.

h. Pawley is dead.

3.

Conclusion:

Pawley was a prominent, wealthy

American, publicly known for involvement in anti-Castro

activities and as a contact of the CIA.

We do not

believe disclosure of his relationship with the Agency

would demonstrably damage the National security of the

United States.

Ahar Pereira

John

F. Pereira

Attachment

SECRET

---

## Page 23

13-00000

SECRET

SUBJECT:

JFK Record/Appeal by DO of HRG Decision/

William Pawley

DCI/CSI/HRG/JFPereira:hfs/30335

Distribution:

original - Addressee

1 - Frank M.

1 - C/HRG

1 - File (13.0)

(22 Apr 93)

SECRET

---

## Page 24

13-0000Đ

SPeRET

CIA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS 001023-1026

RELEASE IN FULL

07 April 1993

MEMORANDUM FOR:

Deputy Director for Operations

VIA:

FROM:

SUBJECT:

DC/ Information Management Staff

Katherine M. Stricker, DO/IRO

Operational Status of William D. Pawley in JFK

Collection

1. BACKGROUND: William D. Pawley (201-0077378) born 1893,

millionaire, diplomat, international businessman, adventurer was

against Cuba. He had ready access to the emigre circles in

Florida, his own reasons for anti-Castro activity and a strong

streak of patriotism.. His activities on our behalf range from

conversations/consultations with Allen Dulles in his DCI's

office, to purchasing a boat with Clare Booth Luce to be used in

a sabotage raid against Cuba. He provided operational

information to us, funded emigres who were somewhat under our

control and had the ear of high level politicians in Washington.

He was a force to be reckoned with and maintained a high profile

throughout his activities, including bragging/alluding to his

connection with the CIA.

The details of his cooperation with us

have never been acknowledged and, repeatedly since his death, we

have continued to conceal the fact of our relationship with him.

2. ISSUE: Files on Pawley which fill one archive-sized

box are

within the JFK Collection being considered for release to

the National Archives under the JEK Act of 1992.

a. The initial review by the Historical Review Group

(HRG) recommends release of virtually all of the contents of the

box (less some cryptonyms and names of covert officers) in light

of the semi-overt nature of Pawley's relationship to the Agency

and the common perception that he was a CIA agent.

CL BY 0199835*

DECL OADR

DRV HUM 4-82

SPERET

---

## Page 25

13-009.0Đ

SECRET

SUBJECT: Operational Status of William Pawley in JFK Collection

b. The Do position is that each document be reviewed

and those which specifically pertain to his CIA affiliation be

withheld i.e. POA requests, other clearance documents, taskings,

meetings with our officers

and information which he reported.

While Pawley is now dead, his heirs and colleagues could well be

negatively affected by any disclosure of his CIA relationship. A

larger concern is the chilling effect such a revelation would

have on other assets, current and future, who would be repelled

by CIA's admission of a clandestine relationship post mortem.

3. RECOMMENDATION: Appeal the decision of the HRG's

initial review to release information on Pawley and request that

the releases involving Pawley be confined to his role as an

historical/political figure which should not reveal his Agency

affiliation.

AGREE WITH RECOMMENDATION:

CONCUR WITH HRG'S INITIAI POSITION:

Kackenie.

Lakerine M! Striker:

2

SECBET

---

## Page 26

13-0,0000 ...

• FOLDER 3

1115

A Binder

of materials related to the Bayo-Pawley/ Operation Red

Cross.

a .

a copy of "The Bayo-Pawley Affair: A Plot to Destroy

JFK and Invade Cuba," by Miguel Acoca & Robert K. Brown.

(Published in Soldier of

Fortune, 1975)

b.

sanitized copies of the Ops plans - the cables, call

signs, etc.

c. post-op assessment

d. name traces

NOTES

Summary: William D. Pawley, prominent and wealthy ex-govt

official (high) financed a mission of anti-Castro Cubans who

wished to exfiltrate 4 Soviet missile officers from Cuba in

June 1963.

He bankrolled it, sailed the Cubans out in his

yacht (Flying Tiger II), and

CIA provided weapons, air support,

and naval support. The Cubans landed on the island and never

returned.

CIA after

action assessment:

"OP participants had no Soviet

contacts but they parlayed notional Sov contacts into sharp con

game designed to attract Angel (Pawley etc) who could

facilitate their exit from US as well as give them some arms

equipment."

Apparently this whole episode has been kept rather quiet, and

in the past the DO has denied any relationship with Pawley.

A sanitized version of the Ops report was prepared for House

staffers to read, but they were not allowed to take notes or

possess a copy.

Also, a check of Sylvia Meagher's index does not reveal the

names of any of the Cubans denied.

For these reasons, with the additional fact that the episode

has no direct bearing on the JFK assassination, I recommend

that we deny in toto the folder, and protect the names of the

parties

involved.

CIA SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

RELEASE IN FULL

2000

---

## Page 27

13-000,00..

• 201-294665

201-298397

Eduardo Perez/ Eddie Bayo

Ernesto Duenas

Aircraft Ferry Co, Inc

cover co for CIA,

released in SOF

Alpha 66

militant Cuban exile

group

Bandin, Carlos

dissident faction of MRR

Cabezas, Rolando

Cuban, MRR member

Canton, Luis

see Cantin

Cantin, Luis

aka Luis Mario Cantin,

Luis Mario Cantin de Nacimiento, part of Op Red Cross

Castillo Cabrera, Angel Luis

part of Op Red Cross

Commando L

exile group that sunk

the Russian freigher

'Baku', led by Eddy Baez and Tony

Questa

CRC invasion?

DRE

anti Castro student

group, funded by CIA

Duenas, Ernesto

Cross

part of Operation Red

Fiorini, Frank

Furg, Frank

Flying Tiger II

Operation Red Cross.

aka Frank Furg

aka Fiorini

Pawley's yacht, used in

FORDC

commanded by Mario Fontela, funded by CIA

"Francisco"

Red Cross

anti Castro group

Cuban, part of Operation

Garcia, Victor

Cuban, part of Red

Cross.

Garcia,

who remained in cuba, wrote a letter to

Venegas in Miami

Rodriguez in a

Martino

came

to the US embassy and requested a second op.

Hunt, George P.

Was part of Operation

---

## Page 28

13-000,00

Red Cross.

Jiminez, Luis

• Cuban, part of Operation

Red Cross

Lomolu, Rene

part of Operation Red

Cross

Martinez, Rolando

part of Operation Red

cross

Martino, John

a minor Mafia character

who worked as a roulette wheel repair man. He brokered

the Red Cross Op.

Mir, Alfredo

part of Operation Red

Cross

Paez Guerra, Luis

part of Op Red Cross,

captain of the Flying Tiger II

Pawley, William D

former asst sec of

State, Asst Sec of Defense, Ambassador, owner of Flying

Tigers II yacht, organizer of Flying Tigers in WWII,

bankrolled Operation Red Cross.

Perez, Eduardo

known as Eddie Bayo, led Operation Red Cross:

Quevedo Pena, Benito

part of op Red Cross

Regal, Denys

Cross

part of Operation Red

REX

CIA raider ship used

during Operation Red Cross

Rigal

See Regal

Sourwine, James

counsel to the Senate's

Internal Security Committee. Was part of the Operation

Red Cross

Spencer, Terry

British photographer for

Time Life, took pictures (illicitly) during Operation Red

Cross.

These photos were published in 1975 in Soldier of

Fortune.

Vacuero, Thomas

See Vaguero

Vaguero, Tomas

Cross

part of Operation Red

Venegas

Garcia, Andres Eugenio

Cuban, part of Red Cross

---