Bay of Pigs

 At midnight on April 17, 1961 (65 years ago), the two LCIs (Landing Craft Infantry) each with a CIA operations officer and an Underwater Demolition Team of five frogmen entered the Bay of Pigs, Cuba. They headed an invasion force of four transport ships carrying about 1,400 Cuban exile ground troops plus M41 tanks and other vehicles in the landing craft.

I once heard a history professor say that a revolution always leads to a counter-revolution.  Bay of Pigs was the counter-revolution to the one led by Fidel Castro.    

The unloading of troops at night was delayed because of engine failures and boats damaged by unseen coral reefs.  As the frogmen came in, they were shocked to discover that Red Beach was lit with floodlights, which led to the location of the landing being hastily changed.  

As the frogmen landed, a firefight broke out when a Jeep carrying Cuban Militia happened by.  The few militias in the area succeeded in warning Cuban Armed Forces via radio soon after the first landing, before the invaders overcame their token resistance.  

Fidel Castro was awakened at about 03:15 to be informed of the landings, which led him to put all militia units in the area on the highest state of alert and to order airstrikes.  Castro departed personally to lead his forces into battle against the invaders.

The invasion failed.

Sixty-seven Cuban exiles were killed in action. Additionally, 10 more were executed by firing squad; 10 lost their lives on the boat Celia trying to escape; nine died in a sealed truck container on the way to Havana; four died by accident; two in prison; and four American aviators also died, for a total of 106 deaths.

The final toll for Cuban armed forces during the conflict was 176 killed in action.  This figure includes only the Cuban Army and it is estimated that about 2,000 militiamen were killed or wounded during the fighting.  Other Cuban forces casualties were between 500 and 4,000.  The airfield attacks on April 15 left 7 Cubans dead and 53 wounded.

On December 21, 1962, Castro and James B. Donovan, a U.S. lawyer aided by Milan C. Miskovsky, a CIA legal officer, signed an agreement to exchange 1,113 prisoners for US$53 million in food and medicine, sourced from private donations and from companies expecting tax concessions. 

On December 24, 1962, some prisoners were flown to Miami, others following on by ship, plus about 1,000 family members also allowed to leave Cuba. 

On December 29, 1962, President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline (speaking Spanish) attended a "welcome back" ceremony at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida for the Cuban veterans of the Bay of Pigs invasion returning from Cuba.

Mother's Day

 Today is Mother's Day.  Unfortunately, my mother, Margaret Lasky, died 31 years ago in January 1995 at the age of 88.

She lived most of her life during a period when it was not common to express your emotions.  But, I knew she loved me.  Actions speak louder than words.

I remember the freshly squeezed orange juice sitting on the table next to my bed.

I remember the slice of bread with jelly handed to me as I left home on my way to school in the morning.

I remember the bowl of sliced apples she would bring me while I sat and watched a sporting event by myself in our family den.

I remember her insisting I practice driving her car when I got home from school prior to my road test.  It paid off, especially parallel parking.

In her old age, my mother told me she read an article in a magazine which said it was important to tell your loved ones you loved them.  So she started telling me she loved me.  I knew she did but it was nice to hear the words come out of her mouth.

Once, when I was still living at home, my mother and I spent many happy hours together converting a large quantity of fresh strawberries into frozen ones we would enjoy the following winter.  That is my favorite memory of her.  

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.  

  

The Tall T

The Tall T is a 1957 American Western film directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Randolph Scott, Richard Boone, and Maureen O'Sullivan.  It was adapted from the 1955 short story "The Captives" by Elmore Leonard, which I recently read.

Brennan (Scott), without a horse, manages to get a lift from a stagecoach driver, who has been hired specially to transport the newlyweds Willard and Doretta Mims (O'Sullivan). Doretta is a plain woman, but the daughter of a rich copper mine owner. 

When they stop at the way-station, they are mistaken for the regular stage by three outlaws, led by Frank Usher (Boone), who have already killed the station manager and his son. 

Terrified of sharing the same fate, Willard suggests to the outlaws that ransoming his wife would be far more profitable than robbing the stage. Frank likes the idea. He also immediately recognizes, and is disgusted by, the groom's clear lack of devotion to his bride.

While waiting for the ransom to arrive, Brennan and Doretta plot to stay alive while confronting their three kidnappers.

I remember as a 12 year-old feeling some sympathy for Usher (a likable villain?), despite him being sinister (put murdered victims in a well).  He some how made a connection with me.  I hoped for his survival.

While the film was being made, negotiations were ongoing for the creation of a new TV series called Have Gun Will Travel.  Scott was the first choice to portray Paladin, but he was too old (59 years-old) and too rich to commit to the project.  Instead, he recommended Boone (40 years-old).  The rest, as they say, is history.