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always thought it was Mr. Bissell, but again I am not sure.* The VIP left, and Gar and/Gaines gave we management personnel our briefing. Gen. Doster from ANG attended, along with myself, the troop commander (American) (Col. Egan], and someone else I don't remember. I do recall vividly, I.objected to the plan. The reason was because of the stand down period~ I felt we could only win by striking hard and fast, day and night, and could gain victory in ~8 hours. I felt the 2 day stand down would prove our undo- ing as it would permit Mr. Castro the time he needed to organize his air and ground, and become unbeatable. Col .. Gaines in- formed me the plans were made by brilliant people, and it wasn't our duty to pick the plan apart, but to abide by it. I was sick at heart and have never forgotten that moment I learned of the 2-day stand down. It was like working for a traitor and, yet, not knowing who the traitor was. I just could not believe our Joint Chiefs would permit our President to go ahead with that part of the plan. I had made friends with the Cubans, and they came to me afterwards actually crying and very upset when. they found out about the stand down. They expected me to explain this -- I could not -- it was an impossible situation for me, I have never felt worse or more hopeless. 23/** * Carlos Rivero, author of Los Sabrinos del Tio Sam (Havana, 1976, p. 98), also claimed that Bissell, "who always kept his identity secret," was at the briefings; but Bissell was not in attendance. Possibly the VIP in question was Colonel Hawkins. ** Emphasis by author. - 197 -