Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: SAC, MM
To: DIRECTOR, FBI
Document date: 06/28/1961
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

124-10298-10255

HQ

2-1693-18

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM: SAC, MM

TO: DIRECTOR, FBI

TITLE:

DATE : 06/28/1961

PAGES:

12

SUBJECTS :

INTERPEN, GPH, AKA, DESCR, RECRUITMENT, TRAINING,

MEMBERS, ARRESTS

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION : Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS: 4

CURRENT STATUS:

Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 08/05/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS : INC LHM

49.1

DocId: 32309468

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29

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## Page 2

FD-36 (Rev. 12-13-56)

Transmit the following in

Via

AIRTEL

TO:

FROM:

RE:

d: =

* FBI

Date:

6-28-61

PLAIN TEXT

(Type in plain text or code)

AIR MAIL

(Priority or Method of Mailing)

DIRECTOR, FBI (2-1693)

SAd, MIAMI (2-312)

ROS

(INTERPEN)

NEUTRALITY MATTER

$00: MIAMI)

3679/0

The title of this case is being changed to

reflect the new name

ReMiamitel to Bureau, 6/27/61, entitled:

"Anti-Communist Legionnaires" and telephone call from

Mr. F. BAUMGARDNER at Bureau to Miami, 6/27/61.

Enclosed herewith are 9 copies of a letter-

head memorandum, dated and captioned as above.

NY T-2 18 1 639-53 4) /4)

MM T-2 is JORGE MORAN, Assistant Coordinator,

FRD, Miami. & (ul

Miami will continue to follow activities of

captioned organization through MM 639-5(&1W

MCT - 270

2-1693-18

- Bureau (Enc1.

(AM - RM)

14 JUN 29 1961

2 - Miami (2-312)

RJD: ems

(5)

Cic. Wick

Approved:

Sent

er

68 JUL 12 19g dent in Charge

DocId: 32309468

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## Page 3

UNITED STATES. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTIC

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

6-28161

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

2-312

CIA HAS NO OBJECTION TO

DECLASSIFGATION AND/OR

RELEASE OF LIA NORMATION ami, Florida

IN THIS DOCUMENT. KP 10-16-97

5L0 KSK

Re:

Ime orderent 1

FIED BY SP

8m

GiER

Aspace

Penetration Forces

Nature of

Organization

42)

MM T°1, who has been involved In Cuban

revolutionary

activities for the past four years,

and who has furnished reliable information in the

past, Is closely associated with Gerald Patrick

Heming, head of the Intercontinental Penetration

Forces, also

known as Interpen.

CANALD LATANK

MM T- advised that Jerry, Henning, nannon

and Gerald Patrick lenning are names used by the press

and by other individuals referring to Gerald Patrick

Hemming, and

are all identical with Heuning

XI (4)

NMM T-1

jadvised that Interpen, until recently,

was known

as

the Anti-Commist Legionnaires, and is

an organization made up of American volunteers, mer-

cenaries,

vagrants and adventurers,

having a member

ship of fifteen to twenty individuals.

The membership

has

a high turnover, inasmuch as newspaper publicity

caused these adventurers to come to Miami, Florida

to join the organization, but lack of any

serious

accomplishment causes them to become disillusioned

and leave.

At any one time, there are several

members in Jail In Miami for fighting, vagrancy

and drunkenness. They beg food from Cuban grocery

AGENCY.

1010.44656-1

DATE FOR 2A30 )

HOW FORW.

B7S

BY 40S/ TH

ENCLOSURE 2 - 1:73-18

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## Page 4

Re: Intercontinental Penetration Forces

On May 17, 1961, Sergeant Sapp advised that

Redmond and Roma had again been arrested for vagrancy

st Bayfront Park, along with Alfred bushane and Albert

Mariner, who were also charged with vagrancy.

Sergeant Sapp advised that these members

of Interpen have developed into a police problem, are

rowdy and drunken, and cause considerable comment by

residents of Miami and tourists visiting the city.

Contact with Frente Revolucionario Democratico

M T-1, on June 5, 1961, advised that Tom

Cain and

Frank (last name unknown), Interpen members,

about a month previously, went to Chicago, Illinois

and contacted headquarters of the Frente RevolucIonario

Democratico (Revolutionary Democratic Front - FRD), an

Pre to Revolucionar 16 14:

alliance group of anti-Communist Cuban revolutionary

organizations.

Cain and Frank were seeking aid and

backing for Interpen from the FRD, and received a

letter of introduction, addressed

to Mr. Gamba, FRD

headquarters, Miami. $ M)

MM T-I said that at that time, Interpen

consisted of about fourteen members, most of when

were staying at 1925 Southwest 4th Street, the

residence of a Mrs. Hamilton, who allows them to

stay there free, and frequently provides weals for

them. (C)m)

AMM T-2, WhO

FRENTE REVOLUCIONARIO

DEmOCRATICO

is an official of the FRand.

who has

furnished reliable information in the past ]x) us

advised that Tomas'camba 1s an assistant to Manuel

Antonio de Tarona,

Coordinator of the ERP.

MM T-2

un!

•3.

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## Page 5

Re: Intercontinental Penetration Forces

said that it would be extremely doubtful that Gamba,

or any other FRD official, would in any way help or

take into membership any American group of volunteers.

subsequently advised that Heming

and rom

June

received no promises of help or offers of membership

In the FRD, and were politely referred to Manuel

Antonio de Varona, Coordinator of the FRD. MM T-1

explained that the FRD's policy has always been

against accepting Americans, and it was extremely

doubtful that Interpen would receive any aid from

the FRDE

-AL)

MM I-explained that Herming and Interpen

members have contacted many other Cuban organizations

and individuals, seeking money donations, equipment

and members, but they have always been refused.

Contact with Venezuelans

On May 25, 1961, MM T-I advised that Henning

thad made contact with a (first name unknown) prato, an

associate of Marcos Perez imenez, former dictator

of Venezuela, presently residing in Miami Beach, Tlorida.J(/U)

Here had one de services toPerez Jimenez foa

Prato

later took Dick watley and Robert

FLA

assistants to Hemming,

ez. "However, Perez Jimenez was unable

to confer with them because he was

too busy with the (An)

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Re: Intercontinental Penetration Forces

matter concerning his pending deportation hearing, to

be held in the United States District Court in Miami.

Prato said that Perez Jimenez wondered how it was

possible for American adventurers, such as the Interpen

members,

to maintain a training camp, wear uniforms

and practice military maneuvers in the United States,

after they have publicly stated they plan to violate

United States neutrality laws by proposed military

attacks against Cuba.

Perez Jimenez expressed some

apprehension in cooperating with them, for fear they

would be arrested by United States authorities. Willis

and Watley planned to make an appointment to see Perez

Jimenez at a later time concerning offering their

services and those of Interpen to Perez Jimenez.

Om June 5, 1961, MM T-1 advised that (first

name unknown Peleaz, 5733 Northwest th Place...

Miami, FLORIDA

representing Perez Jimenez, bought one hundred sixty

dollars worth of food for a donation to Interpen.

This food consisted mainly of rice, beans, and canned

items.

On June 28, 1961, MM Tol advised that

representatives of Perez Jimenez were supposed to

visit a cam site established at Key Largo, Florida

by Interpen.

At the camp site, they would be given

demonstrations in military training and jungle

survival by Hemming

Interpen Unacceptable to Leading Cuban Organizations

MM T-1 advised that although Interpen had

visited most of the leading Cuban revolutionary Do/us

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Re:

Intercontinental Penetration Forces

organizations,

these organizations have refused to

support, donate,

take Into membership, or cooperate

with

Interpen. A)u)

During May and June, 1961, the following

individuals advised that their organizations would

have nothing to do with Interpen:

Antonio

aced, member of the Cuban Revolution-

ary Council

Orlando Carcia, Assistant to Aurellano Sanchez

Arang®.

head of the Revolutionary Junta of

Cuban Liberation

Emesto vespaigne, in charge of intelligence

for FRD

Rafael Diaz Balart, & leading member Of the

walte rose organization, and presently work.

Ing with Carlos PriO Socarras, former President

of Cuba:

Failure of Plans

MM Tol explained that many of the irresponsible

plans of lewing have failed. One involved driving a

car fron Miani, Florida, to Guatemala;

for some unknown

revolutionary

purpose.

Hemming also was involved in

another plan with Agustin Capo,

a Cuban national,

go on a reconnaissance trip by boat to the Cay Sal Bank

of islands, north

of Cuba, and later

establish

a base

for Interpen there

for future commando raids against

Cuba. This failed, inasmuch as Capo is being watched

by the United States Border Patrol, and is afraid if

he leaves on his boat, he will be arrested @m)

• 6

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FLA:

CUBA

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Re: Intercontinental Penetration Forces

Hemming had another plan to obtain a 106 foot

salvage boat to take his group on a commando raid against

Cuba.

however, he was able to obtain access to this

boat.

MM Tol explained that Herming has a new and different

plan

daily, does not follow through on any of

them, and

none of them ever succeed. *

Press Publicity

The "Miani Herald," a dally newspaper published

in Miami, Florida, on June 27, 1961, contained an article

concerning Interpen, stating that most members are Americans,

although the leaders claim the group Includes Canadians,

Venezuelans, Cubans and other anti-Communists.

article stated that the existence of this group was known

by the Herald, but it became generally know to the

public on June 26, 1961, after Florida Senator George

A. Swathers disclosed that Cuban exiles are training in

Florida. The article said that Senator Smathers! dis-

closure on a nation wide radio network brought other

newsmen

and television cameramen to Interpen headquarters

on June 26, 1961.

article described Henning as a "young

giant, 6 feet Y inches tall, with long way hair, a

trimed beard, an Australian bush hat,

who looks

like Errol Flynn in his earlier matinee days."

The

article stated that Hemming said the recruits are

first housed at the headquarters, and then sent to

a training site in the Everglades, accessible only

by boat.

The article continued, stating that Interpen

holds parachute rigging classes in the middle of a

street in Miami, and one elderly Miami couple stated

•7.0

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Re:

Intercontinental Penetration Forces

they told the police, but the police said there was

nothing they could do about it. The article said

that the climax of Interpen training is parachute

jumping at an abandoned South Florida airfield.

The article continued that Herming hires

a sky diving instructor and rents a light plane for

the exercises, and during the jumping drills on the

previous Saturday, the Sheriff's patrol officers

looked on and made no attempt to interfere. The

article went on that Interpen has about one hundred

members, Including some at bases in Califoria and

in the North, and its purpose was to fight Commnism,

look for adventure, or "because they just like soldier

ing."

Joe Gorman,

as saying:

"I would rather be

a member from Kentucky, was quoted

shot to death than

bored

to death.

09

Fi T-1, on June 27, 1961,7 vised that

the above mentioned article was out of proportion

to the true situation, and served no other purpose

than to obtain publicity for Hemming and attract

more adventurers to the Miami area.

MM Tol explained that on June 21, 1961,

a plane was rented at Howe Aviation, Tamiami Airport,

Miami, and flown to an abandoned field at Davies.

Florida, where the plane was met by Hemming, Joe

Goran, Larry Worley, Frank Little and one other

Individual, nane unk

wn, all Interpen members.

Also there were Frank fiorini, a notorious would-be

soldier of fortune, a fourteen year old Cuban boy,

and a news

photographer from the "Miani Herald"

newspaper

• 8

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Re:

Intercontinental Penetration Forces

Joe forman and Larry Worley got in the airplane,

and each made a parachute ju

When these, two only

avallable parachutes were repacked, Frank little and

Hemming boarded the airplane and made a parachute jum.

The photographer took photographs,

which appeared in a

later issue of the

"Miami Herald."

MM T-I said that these were

the first and

only parachute jumps made by Interpen members.

They

were practice jumps, and fortunately, nobody was injured,

Inasnch as none of these individuals has had any train-

Ing or experience, and they are not in adequate physical

condition.

On June 28, 1961, the "Miami Herald" contained

an article stating that Interpen's Commander is the

"biggest, strongest and most handsome member of the

lot, and

in his marine camouflage suit, Australian

bush hat, wavy hair and beard, he has the look of

an old -time French msketeer."

article continues

by stating that Herming is convinced that the pro-

Cormunist Government of Cuba will be overthrow only

by infiltration of guerrilla fighters;

that he and

his men live in a rooming house, and when they are

not on training exercises in the Everglades Swamps,

or parachuting

at an abandoned airfield, they practice

rigging parachutes in the street.

The article con-

tinues that neighbors have complained, but the police

contend there is nothing they can do.

Herming claims

he does not try to hide the fact that Interpen i8

part of

the International Anti-Communist Brigade, which

is associated with the Revolutionary Junta of National

Liberation, led by Aureliano Sanchez Arango.

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Re: Intercontinental Penetration Forces

MM T-I; on June 27, 1961, advised that on

that day, Hemming and three of his men went to Key

Largo, Florida,

later returned, and brought

others with then to establish a survival training

camp somehere in key Largo in the Florida Keys. (Au)

MM T-l explained that Herming met some-

one who knew an individual uning property in Rey

Largo, and allowed them to use this property. MM T-l

explained that on June 28, 1961, representatives of

Marcos Perez Jimenez are

going to visit the camp

site at Key Larg®, and observe Hewing and his

eight

companions in their training maneuvers. MM T-1

said that Hemming vill tell the Venezuelans

that

this

Is just one of the many combat squads of Interpen,

and that many other squads are standing by at other

places.

Herming hopes to fool the Venezuelans into

giving him large donations of ams, equipment and

food.

On June 27, 1961, the United States Border

Patrol, Miami, advised that Inspector Harry Rhodes,

of the United

States Border Patrol at Homestead,

Florida, received a call from fishermen off Julia

Island In the Florida Keys that some shooting was

going on. Upon arrival, Inspector rhodes discovered

that Herming and his group were conducting a jungle

survey training class, and Hemming had in his possess

ion only one ?? caliber rifle, a small amount of

amnition and some equipment.

The rifle shot

apparently ricocheted and barely missed hitting

nearby fisherman.

Those with Herming were Identified

as wynn Bollinger, born at Buffalo, New York, on

April 21,

1943; Larry worley, born at Mänsfield, Ohio, on 7-21=1939

• 10 0L1

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