Cryptonym: AMDENIM-2
A cable in March, 1961, stated that AMDENIM-1, 2 and 3, were no longer part of the Tejana crew (at the request of AMDENIM-1). The cable also mentioned that it was planned to "utilize AMDENIM-2 and 3 for harassment operations using (the) Tejana as (the) mother ship."
A dispatch in March of 1963 mentioned that Don Hogan (probably George Michael Kappes - aka Mickey Kappes) had visited JMWAVE and made inquiries with AMDENIM-2 on the activities of AMDENIM-1 (Alberto Fernandez Hechevarria). The dispatch reported: "Don Hogan turned up like a bad penny during the period."
A cable in late December 1960, stated that Stevens was born on June 29, 1929, in Durant, Mississippi, and was at that time working on the JMWAVE boat "Seagull." The cable also mentioned that Stevens and Kappes would be utilized on AMDENIM-1's new boat, once a competent crew had been found for the "Seagull."
An article by former CIA paramilitary officer, Rudy Enders, in August, 2010, stated that "Bob Simon was a former Navy underwater demolitions team (UDT) officer and a product of Massachusetts Maritime Academy." Bob Simon later served in Vietnam after service in the Cuban Project.
12/30/60: Cable from JMWAVE to BELL: REF BELL 0077 (IN 5233)* "1. Per ref, request authority, utilize Robert Clark Stevens Jr. born 29 June 29 at Durant Miss and George Michael Kappes born 6 Dec 32 at Bronx, New York as captain and engineer on WAVE boat 'Seagull' until such time additional crew can be hired. Stevens and Kappes will be utilized on Alberto Fernandez Hechevarria new boat after competent crew for 'Seagull' located. Both men have crewed Fernandez boats during past few months and considered highly competent. 2. Kappes already has POA. Request POA Stevens ASAP. Plan contract each for approx $700.00 per month straight salary. C/S Comment: *HQs concurred to the use of Cubans as crew members on WAVE boat ops, but desire at least captain and one mate be PBPRIME (U.S.) contract for control and competence."
02/08/61: Cable from JMWAVE to BELL: Slugline JMZIP JEAN: REF WAVE 2915 (IN 1752)* "1. Alberto Fernandez Hechevarria's 110 foot boat Tejana due arrive Key West 11 February. WAVE planning rerun OPN JEAN night 15 Feb. Fernandez plans exfil Miguel Cervera and F. Fleites of MDC as part of this OPN since MDC inside Cuba wishes designate one of them over all head of MDC replacing AMPALM-5 (Jose Ignacio Agusto Rasco Bermudez, aka Jose Rasco). Also plans exfil Humberto Sori Marin unless instructed differently. Request comment and authority exfil listed subjects. 2. WAVE plans use Stevens and Kappes and fill out crew with local Cubans. Request authority pay crew direct and expend funds for maintenance/operational use Tejana. Crew list will be forwarded in a separate cable. CS Comment: *Requested approval run OP JEAN."
02/22/61: Cable from JMWAVE to BELL: Slugline JMZIP TEJANA: "1. Request crypts be assigned FOLL individuals who now crew and maintain the Tejana: A. Alberto Fernandez Hechevarria (note: became AMDENIM-1), owner. Will go on first few operations. B. Robert C. Stevens Jr., Captain. C. George Michael Kappes, engineer and operations officer. D. Lawrence J. Laborde (note: became AMDENIM-4) 27 Aug 09 New Orleans, Port Captain. Has been with Tejana for eight years and invaluable its upkeep. E. Naval Candidate 8501, senior Cuban officer aboard. F. Naval Candidate 8071, deck officer. G. Naval Candidate 8146, deck officer. H. Naval Candidate 8190, engine room assistant. Gunner. I. Eduardo Antonio Baez Ayala, 6 Aug 20, Havana, Cuba. Will be trained as gunner. J. Pedro Ernesto Diaz, 7 Nov 31, Santa Llora, diesel engineer. K. Eduardo Perez Gonzalez (note: became AMDENIM-11), 18 March 27 Santiago de Cuba. Ordinance man. Responsible for armament of boat. L. Rafael Casals y Fernandez de Cueto, 6 Oct 06, Cienfuegos, Cuba. Cook. M. N. Antonio Cuesta Valle (note: became AMDENIM-14), 13 June 26, at Santiago de Cuba. (Same duties as M above). 2. Request POA's SUBJ I thru N. Local ODENVY (FBI) checks negating..." - - - Also see https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=52121#relPageId=22&search= in Reel 5, Folder G - all of the above are numbered. Strong proof that this is the crypt list of AMDENIM-1 through AMDENIM-14 who crewed and maintained the Tejana in early 1961. Number 2 was next to B. Robert Clark Stevens, Jr.
104-10172-10444: CABLE: AT REQUEST AMDENIM-1, AMDENIM-2 AND AMDENIM-3
03/22/61: Cable from JMWAVE to BELL: Slugline JMZIP TEJANA: "1. At request AMDENIM-1 (Alberto Fernandez Hechevarria), AMDENIM-2 and AMDENIM-3 are no longer part of Tejana crew. Presently plan utilize A-2 and A-3 for harassment operations using Tejana as mother ship. Separate cable will follow. 2. AMDENIM-10 no longer part of crew. 3. Recent crypts be assigned FOLL additional Tejana crew members: A). Naval Candidate 8032 - radio operator. B) Naval Candidate 8116 - doctor. C) Naval Candidate 8530 - boatswain. D) Naval Candidate 8074 - sailor. E) Naval Candidate 8233 - sailor. F) Naval Candidate 8503 - engineer. G) Naval Candidate 8242 - engineer assistant."
104-10172-10127: DISPATCH: AMDENIM-1 PROGRESS REPORT 28 FEBRUARY 1963
03/15/63: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Special Affairs Staff: Page 3: ..."7. Miscellaneous items re Subject include the following. Don Hogan turned up like a bad penny during the period and made a few inquiries from people like AMDENIM-2 as to what Subject was doing. No significance other than that of 'fishing expedition' which failed to turn up anything could be attributed to this visit..."
https://www.air-america.org/articles.html
08/25/2010: Article by Rudy Enders: Titled: With the CIA in Vietnam: Page 2: ..."We were handed tickets in Miami. Our group included me, Mike Nolan, Bill Watkins, and Bob Simon. Mike was an old Southeast Asia hand. He had been recruited during the Korean War when the Agency hired all the paramilitary officers they could find. Being a former professional football player with the Los Angeles Rams, Mike met the recruiting criteria; strong, aggressive and brave. However, like all quick-start programs, most of these contract officers were axed when the Korean War ended. Mike, however, survived and was sent to Laos. Afterwards, he spent many years in hardship posts usually reserved for what insiders call 'knuckle draggers.' A term Agency Foreign Intelligence (FI) officers coined to advertise their intellectual superiority compared to rough and tumble paramilitary types like Mike Nolan. Bill Watkins came to CIA from the Marine Corps... He had been pilot and was selected for the elite spy career trainee (CT) program. Miami was his first assignment where he served as a paramilitary operations officer. Bob Simon was a former Navy underwater demolitions team (UDT) officer and a product of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He was the one who convinced me earlier to stay aboard during the Cuban show. Although the four of us came from different backgrounds, we were now heading in the same direction." https://www.air-america.org/files/documents/reviernam_1.pdf