Home/ Resources / Projects / CIA Pseudonyms / pseudonym: BONGIRNO_KEITH

Pseudonym: Bongirno, Keith

Definition:
Anthony Sileo. Keith G. Bongirno was a CIA operative from at least May 1962, to June, 1970. Bongirno appears to have worked in the KUCAGE (CIA Psychological and Paramilitary Operations Staff) division of CIA.
Category:
pseudonym
Status:
Probable
Discussion:
A CIA document in May 1962, stated that Bongirno acted "as a one man watch dog committee for the Station" (probably JMWAVE), to ensure that the funds provided for a program were spent as had been agreed. In addition, Keith G. Bongirno worked with AMICE-31 (Reinaldo Pico Ramon), and was known to A-31 as "Mr. Johns."

Furthermore, a cable in June 1970 named Bongirno as one of the three case officers, along with Henry Hecksher and Thomas Hazlett, who met with AMHIM-2 (Augustin Alles Soberon). All three officers were from JMWAVE. George Joannides, using his pseudonym Walter D. Newby, was the originating officer of a dispatch in June 1962, in which Keith G. Bongirno was mentioned.
Sources:

104-10228-10405: AMBUD COMMISSION OF DOCTRINE AND PROPAGANDA

05/02/62, CIA document: "c. AMBUD (Cuban Revolutionary Council - CRC) Commission of Doctrine and Propaganda: See Separate Cover Attachment B for a description of the activities of this group. Bongirno acts as a one man 'watch dog' committee for the Station to make certain that the funds given to this group are spent in accordance with an agreed upon program. In order to do this, Bongirno is in direct contact with the Chairman of the Commission, a post held until two months ago by AMCORE-2 (Luis Ernesto Conte Aguero) and, until 29 April 1962, by Subject of UFGA-3803 who has now resigned. Concurrently, Bongirno maintains direct informal (but more effective) contact with 201-277590 (note: biographic number for Angel del Cerro) who is personally loyal to Bongirno, alerts him to deviations when imminent and accepts KUCAGE (CIA Psychological and Paramilitary Operations Staff) guidance for the semi-monthly publications."

104-10299-10150: DISPATCH: GYROSE/KUCAGE/OPERATIONAL/CRC PROPAGANDA COMMISSION 1-31 MAY ACTIVITIES

06/11/62, Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Task Force W: Originating Officer: Walter D. Newby (George Joannides), PW. Coordinating Officer: Robert K. Trouchard (William Kent), C/PW. Releasing Officer: Andrew K. Reuteman (Theodore Shackley), ACOS): "1. Attached hereto is a monthly progress report for May 1962 in the activities of the Commission of Doctrine and Propaganda of the Revolutionary Council of Cuba (CRC), prepared by Keith G. Bongirno. We also attach copies of the semi-monthly publications Cuba Nueva (with a summary in English of the articles contained therein) and copies of its information bulletin Hoja Informativa..."

104-10229-10147: DISPATCH: OPERATIONAL/GYROSE/KUCAGE/CRC PROPAGANDA COMMISSION: 1-30 JUNE ACTIVITIES

07/31/62, Dispatch from COS, Mexico City to Chief, Task Force W: "1. Attached hereto is a monthly progress report for June 1962 on the activities of the Commission of Doctrine and Propaganda of the Revolutionary Council of Cuba (CRC), prepared by Keith G. Bongirno..."

104-10076-10047: CABLE - MIAMI HERALD STORY OF A CASTRO AGENT COMING TO US TO BUY PARTS APPEARS TO BE A FABRICATION

12/04/63, Cable from JMWAVE to Director: "1. Keith G. Bongirno reports Miami Herald story 4 Dec on Castro agent coming US via MEXI to purchase badly needed aquaduct parts and equipment appears be fabrication by Luis Suao of Christian Youth Group and his Miami Herald friend Carlos Martinez. Purpose of fabrication is create publicity Suao and Christian Youth. 2. Mary Louise Wilkinson Miami News feels story obvious fabrication to gain publicity for Suao and Christian Youth Group. Intends interview Suao and write article for News 5 Dec. 3. William S. Wibalda (probably Robert Wall) reports Suao and old friend AMCORE-2 (Luis Ernesto Conte Aguero). Wibalda checking on possibility Suao may have been supplied info for fabrication by AMCORE-2's assistant Vicente Rodriguez. AMCORE-2 who still in New York City claims knows nothing about Suao story. C/S Comment: *Dissemination applicable to RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE cables."

104-10226-10357: DISPATCH-OPERATIONAL PHYSICAL ATTACK ON UR PREMISES

04/27/64, Memorandum for the record from Henry P. Rebholtz: Subject: UR Internal Dissension: Interview with Eduardo Sotolongo Medina: "1. Interview was conducted by undersigned on 25 April. Keith G. Bongirno interpreted. Locale was SH #139. Time: 1100-1245 hours..."

104-10170-10069: DISPATCH: AMSPELL PROGRESS REPORT - MAY 1964

06/08/64: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Deputy Chief, WH/SA: "1. General: There was a change of personnel in the AMSPELL (DRE) project in the middle of April. AMHINT-2 (Juan Manuel Salvat Roque) took over as Chief of AMSPELL, replacing AMHINT-53 (Luis Fernandez-Rocha) who resigned to continue his studies, and Keith T. Bongirno replaced Walter D. Newby (George Joannides) as case officer. (The new AMSPELL T/O is enclosed under separate cover, Attachment A). Bruce P. Vedder also sees AMHINT-2 once or twice a month but the detailed direction of the project is in Bongirno's hands..."

180-10145-10324: HSCA DOCUMENT ON REINALDO PICO RAMON

2/16/65, Internal Memo RE PRQ I and II: Page 2: ..."Contact: First contacted by Keith G. Bongirno in May 1964 after his trip to Venezuela. Knows Bongirno as Mr. Johns and AMCLATTER-1 (Bernard Barker) in true name. Subject receives $300 monthly salary via AMICE (FORDC, Frente Obrero Revolucionario Democratico Cubano) payroll. Knows only Bongirno and AMCLATTER-1..." (Reinaldo Pico Ramon) AMICE-31's PRQ Part II can be found here (SECTION 1, "2. Subject can be turned over to any Spanish speaking case officer.": https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=32884&search=104-10178-10141#relPageId=2&tab=page

104-10178-10334: CIA FILE ON REINALDO PICO.

03/29/66, Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, WH (Info: WH/C): Subject: DYVOUR/JMDEVIL/AMICE-31 Production: ..."3. Also attached, under separate cover, is a copy of a report by Keith G. Bongirno which includes a list of AMICE-31's (Reinaldo Pico Ramon) achievements at the meeting and his impressions of and attitudes toward certain delegates and issues."

104-10104-10052: CABLE RE CONTACTS WITH AMHIM-2

06/29/70, Cable from WH/Miami to Director: Slugline TYPIC AMHIM: "1. No Case Officer from WH/Miami has ever met AMHIM-2 (Augustin Alles Soberon). Following JMWAVE Case Officers met AMHIM-2 in alias only: Nelson L. Raynock (Henry D. Hecksher), Clyde K. Shryock (Thomas Hazlett), Keith G. Bongirno. 2. AMHIM-2 was fully aware of JKLANCE (CIA) sponsorship of AMHIM (the Agencia de Informaciones Periodisticas - the Agency for News Information - was a news service financed by CIA) organization. 3. We have quit claim and secrecy agreement signed by AMHIM-2 upon termination on 31 May 1970. 4. File: 19-126-41, 201-355653. GP-1."

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Gavin McDonald • Bill Simpich

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