◆ SpookStack

the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy; and the President's brother,Attorney-General Robert F. Kennedy. Although there has been much written about air operations over Cuba between 15-19 April 1961, much of it has been pure speculation or exaggeration, with only limited segments being demonstrably accurate -- the most reliable stories were those told by Eduardo Ferrer and Albert C. ("Buck") Persons who served as transport pilots. Because it has been examined from an all source basis, what follows may help to clarify -- if not resolve -- some of the issues about which there has been the greatest dispute. Final decisions on what, where, and when the tactical air operation was to be mounted was discussed, debated, and 'decided in th~,Readquarters area -- the principals most directly concerned with the overall air operation more frequently than not were relegated to the sidelines as observers. The ball, in terms of the management of the air operation, was being carried principally by Mr. Bissell and General Cabell. Even before the departure of President Eisenhower, the new Administration had been informed in specific detail - 175 -