Cryptonym: QDALUM
4/14/59 was the date of a purchase by Marcos Diaz Lanz of a DC-4 transport plane for the Cuban Revolutionary Air Force from James Byers of Aerodex Corporation, Miami, with a $212,000 check.
On June 11, 1959, Craig K. Williams, president of Air International, Miami International Airport, and James Byers, Assistant Sales and Service Manager, Aerodex, Miami International Airport, both of whom are familiar with the personnel attached to the Cuban Air Attache's office, jointly remarked that Rafael Botello is alleged by FAR personnel to be the Director of Counterespionage for FAR in Miami."
104-10167-10282: MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD THE DIAZ LANZ CASE.
In early July 1959, James Byers was described as a friend of Pedro Diaz Lanz in Miami. Byers and Fiorini both wanted full possession of a C-46 and a B-25, which belonged to the Cuban Air Force but were in Byers' possession in Miami.
104-10167-10132: QDCHAR ESCAPE
"On July 17, QDARBOR telephoned me that he had just been contacted by an individual named Dick O'Connell from Havana, who said that he had a message from Havana for QDARBOR from QDCHAR...I met with QDARBOR and QDALUM after QDARBOR had talked with O'Connell...when he could not reach QDALUM, who is mentioned in the message, O'Donnell called QDARBOR. O'Connell informed QDARBOR that if they wish to make contact with (Diaz Lanz) it should be through Jorge and Virgilio Villata, who could be reached at 3-4720 or 3-6763, Havana..." Then this document refers to QDARBOR and QDALUM going from Miami to Havana in the late afternoon of July 18 and returning to Miami on July 19, saying plans were ready for the operation. As planned, Marcos Diaz Lanz' escaped from Cuba on July 25, 1959 by boat, arriving in Tampa on July 27, with references to QDARBOR and QDALUM. He was then to be escorted to Washington, DC the same afternoon by Joseph Brannigan, but the plan was changed and instead he was interrogated in a Tampa safehouse by Earl Sadelly and Ben Evans. (See 104-10167-10137 - the Hillsborough Hotel) On the 29th, Diaz Lanz was escorted to Miami by Sadelly, where he stayed in QDALUM's apartment. On the 31st, Diaz Lanz had an INS hearing and was then taken to Ricardo Lorie's home in Key Biscayne. Stanley Zamka/David Morales was in touch with Diaz Lanz's wife in Cuba and reported that she said she was not worried about her ability to get the family out of Cuba and to the US. Also see 104-10167-10127, p. 4 of 4, 8/13/59 report of meeting with QDCHAR/Marcos Diaz Lanz by Patrick Karnley/Bernie Reinhardt: "QDCHAR is presently living in Frank Fiorini's house at 2030 SW 60th Court, Miami..."
104-10167-10161: CABLE RE ESCAPE OF MARCOS DIAZ.
7/18/59 memo from Tom Flores to Havana: "Dick O'Connell connected with Cummings Diesel Co., Havana and stringer for Hava Times contacted Mr. James Byers and Craig Williams American friends Diaz Lanz brothers Miami 17 July. O'Connell brought note from Marcos Diaz addressed to Frank Fiorini requesting he and Sergio Diaz arrange his escape from Cuba. Note given O'Connell by Virgilio and George Villata. Villatas told O'Connell Marcos has been moving from one hiding place to another, now in a church, but running out of hiding places. Byers and Williams agree to withhold note from Fiorini pending (CIA) decision on matter. HQS desires assist Marcos escape. Propose send Byers or Williams, both cleared (CIA) contacts, to Havana 18 July to act as cut out for station in op. Name of traveller and ETA will be cabled..." Also see 104-10261-10038: "Byers arriving Havana PAA 1745 18 July. Will go to Riviera Hotel instead of Hotel Nacional and await contact."
104-10167-10159: CABLE RE ZAMKA TRAVEL.
7/19/59 cable from Havana to Director: "Contact made by Zamka (David Morales) with Byers and Williams. They plan call on George and Virgilio Villata. They returning Miami evening 19 July. Station recommends following action. Merton (Jack Stewart) fly Tampa 20 July (as recvd) lay on exfiltration with AMCOO (Delia Failde) as in previous cases with target date 25 July. Either AMCONCERT (Pancho Varona) or AMCLATTER (Bernard Barker) take delivery of body without knowledge of true identity and transport body to ship. HQS take whatever action necessary prevent subsequent publicity in (US) as this would seriously prejudice US government interests (in) this area. HQS provide pseudonym for body use. Fiorini not be made witting under any circumstances as station considers him untrustworthy." John Newman writes in "Where Angels Walk Lightly", pp. 203-209, this operation involved David Morales smuggling Pedro Diaz Lanz out of Cuba. See 104-10261-10037, the plan was for QDCHAR to use the alias Mariano Jiminez Gomez on the MV Roatan. Bernard Barker/AMCLATTER got him on the boat.