In 1961, members of the Alabama Air National Guard secretly took part in the failed invasion of Cuba by U.S.-backed Cuban exiles known as the Bay of Pigs. This was a covert attempt by the United States to overthrow the Soviet-allied Cuban government of Fidel Castro.  Pete Ray was one of eight Alabama guardsmen who flew combat missions on April 19th 1961, which resulted in the deaths of Pete and three members of the Alabama unit. U.S. President John F. Kennedy later acknowledged America's involvement but denied that American military personnel had entered Cuban territory. It was not until 1987 did the U.S. revealed that eight ANG members had indeed flown into Cuban airspace.  We hear from Pete Ray’s daughter Janet, who tirelessly worked to find out the truth of what happened that day despite the best efforts of the CIA, the Cubans, and the US government to obstruct her investigations. Cold War history is disappearing; however, a simple monthly donation will keep this podcast on the air. You’ll get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping preserve Cold War history.  Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a financial contribution is not your cup of tea, then you can still help us by leaving written reviews wherever you listen to us as well as sharing us on social media. It really helps us get new guests on the show. I am delighted to welcome Janet Ray to our Cold War conversation… Photos and videos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode247/ 0:00 Introduction to the podcast and the story of the Bay of Pigs invasion 2:32 Guest Introduction: Janet Ray, daughter of Pete Ray 4:22 Pete Ray's involvement in the Bay of Pigs invasion 9:34 Aftermath of the Bay of Pigs invasion and the government's cover-up 15:03 Impact of the mercenaries' deaths on their families 18:52 The fear and paranoia in the families following the Bay of Pigs invasion 22:55 Janet's investigation into her father's death and resistance from the CIA 31:58 Janet's interactions with the Bay of Pigs pilots and Fidel Castro 47:15 The truth about Pete Ray's death and the return of his body 55:58 Wrap up and closing comments by Ian Sanders Table of contents powered by PodcastAI✨ Follow us on Twitter here https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Support the project! https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices