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Pseudonym: Capolillo, Michael

Definition:

Michael E. Capolillo was possibly an alias used by CIA operative Mickey Kappes. Capolillo submitted reports to JMWAVE colleagues from at least December 1963, to November 1964, on SW messages.

Category:

alias

Status:

Speculative

Discussion:

On pages 192-193 of Warren Hinckle and William Turner's "Deadly Secrets: The CIA-Mafia War Against Castro and the Assassination of JFK", there was a passage which discussed Operation Tilt in June of 1963. Part of it read: ..."Then Pawley called the CIA. 'I consulted Carter,' Pawley said, 'and he told me he could not become involved, that the CIA could not do anything directly but that he would try to fulfill my request and find me three good men - an armaments expert, a good navigator, and a good radio operator.' The three who reported for duty were the ever-ready Rip Robertson and paramilitaries known only as Ken and Mike..." The "Mike" referred to was possibly Mickey Kappes. But who was "Ken?"

Kenneth R. Sakovich interviewed and recruited AMDESK-1 (Ricardo Anibal Morales Navarrete) in January, 1964. But he was known as "Pat" to Morales. https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=149572&relPageId=2&search=

Henrik Kruger also mentioned "Rip, Mike and Ken" on page 144 of "The Great Heroin Coup: Drugs, Intelligence & International Fascism." The source cited was the article by Miguel Acoca and Robert K. Brown, which appeared in Soldier of Fortune magazine in 1975; on page 11, here, in the first full paragraph beginning: "When finalized,.." https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=28888&search=#relPageId=11&tab=page

Sources:

104-10308-10078:

12/09/63: CIA document: Titled: Report on Development of an Incoming SW Message: "To: Hobart J. Vandeborn (Field Units Use Pseudo). Division or Branch: WAVE/FI. Report on the Development of SW Message # 45 from AMWARM-1 (Agent Crypto). Mailed from (REDACTION) to Miami, Fla. Date Letter: 1 Dec. Postmark: 4 Dec. Rec'd Lab: 9 Dec. 1...Submitted by: Michael E. Capolillo (Field Units Sign in Pseudo)."

104-10274-10235: IT IS CURRENTLY RUMORED IN PUERTO RICO THAT MANOLO RAY

5/1/64 - "Message No. 2" - communication from AMKNOB-1/Pedro Fedeli Medici (Agent Crypto) to UNKNOWN letter postmarked 5/1 (see 104-10274-10234, intercepted and provided 5/5/64 to WAVE/CI officer Charles Weisinger/Ray Dubois: "It is currently rumored in Puerto Rico that Manolo Ray has gone to Cuba or at least has disappeared from the scene (PR)...Manolo Ray has three fishing boats that apparently are fishing in Caribbean waters (See 124-10214-10381, p. 13: the main ship was probably the VENUS owned by Enrique Casado - or possibly Casado's motorized vessel the SHARK V, along with two whalers)...one of the boats is commanded by Enrique Casado, a Cuban...no one believes that Casado is just fishing...until now have received nothing from Raul (Aparicio?) or (AMKNOB-1's case officer) Julian. Nor have they sent cables. I would appreciate it if they would give me better guidance. We know from experience that we must attack these people...Will I return to Miami and from there to Mexico? One must weigh and create the appropriate moment..." Redacted version at 1994.03.17.10:47:51:060005 Reel 15, Folder O - MANUEL RAY - pp. 165-166.

104-10274-10230: THE MYSTERY ABOUT MANOLO RAY IS AS FOLLOWS. IT IS RUMORED

5/11/64 - "Message No. 3". ROUGH TRANSLATION from AMKNOB-1. "The mystery about Manuel Ray...(he) has very well-guarded plans...Enrique Casado's fishing boat is called the SHARK IV...I met in a bar a Cuban called Ismael Moreno, ex-Capt Rebel Army...He told me that he is closely connected with 2nd Front/Alpha 66 and other groups. He came here looking for work and to join Manuel Ray's JURE because, according to him, Plan OMEGA is not going to be implemented soon...it dawns on me that Castro will look for motives, justifications and proofs (attempts) to initiate a scandal and accusations in the United Nations. It's just my (personal) opinion arrived at by thinking over the usual Castro diabolic tactics. I have full faith that the days (or few months) of Castro are numbered...I could return to Miami for several days, continue the investigations there, and from there send a cable for an appointment in Mexico? My plans are always ready subject to your approval. I always keep in mind that if I do not prod those people there, they will forget for another two months."

104-10274-10224: REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT OF AN INCOMING SW MESSAGE

05/12/64: "Message No. 4" - CIA document: Titled: Report on Development of an Incoming SW Message: To: Charles B. Weisinger (Field Units Use Pseudo). Division or Branch: WAVE/CI. Report on the Development of SW Message # 4 from AMKNOB-1 (Agent Crypto). Mailed from San Juan, P. R. to Miami Beach, Fla. Date Letter: 10 May. Postmark: 11 May. Rec'd Lab: 12 May...Submitted by Michael E. Capolillo (Field Units Sign in Pseudo)." Redacted version at 1994.03.17.10:47:51:060005 - Reel 15, Folder O - Manuel Ray, pp. 148-149: "The press has published Ray's declarations to the effect that he will be in Cuba by May 20. Those who do not support Ray assert that he is in agreement with Castro. This seems a bit illogical but one can expect almost anything from an atheistic leftist who is anti-American...Enrique Casado has been told that (Israel Moreno) was in Puerto Rico and...(Casado considered Moreno) an informer...I have a plan which I first would like to discuss with you...I expect to be in Miami, 15 May..."

104-10216-10206: DISPATCH: TRANSMISSION OF S/W MESSAGES TO AND FROM AMTRUNK NETWORK

08/05/64: CIA document: Titled: Report on Development of an Incoming SW Message: To: Reuben A. Hannula (Field Units Use Pseudo). Division or Branch: WAVE/PM. Report on the Development of SW Message # 11 from AMTRUNK-11 (Agent Crypto). Mailed from Cotorro, Cuba to Miami Shore, Fla. Date Letter: 27 July. Postmark: Cot, 29 July. Rec'd Lab: 5 August ...Submitted by Michael E. Capolillo (Field Units Sign in Pseudo)."

104-10247-10127: REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT OF AN INCOMING SW MESSAGE

11/30/64: CIA document: Titled: Report on Development of an Incoming SW Message: To: Reuben A. Hannula (Field Units Use Pseudo). Division or Branch: WAVE/FI. Report on the Development of SW Message # 12 (Handwritten note: Should be N/19) from AMTRUNK-11 (Agent Crypto). Mailed from Havana, Cuba to Miami Shore, Fla. Date Letter: 10 Nov. Postmark: 11 Nov. Rec'd Lab: 30 Nov...Submitted by Michael E. Capolillo (Field Units Sign in Pseudo)."

Contributors:

Bill Simpich • David Boylan • John Newman • MFF