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

Pseudonym: Guertler, Warren

Return to Main Pseudos Page

Definition:
Karl Rohrer.
Category:
pseudonym
Status:
Probable
Discussion:
Warren K. Guertler was the case officer of AMYUM-19. A memo in October, 1964, stated that Karl Rohrer had most of his AMWORLD contacts with Cesar Baro Esteva (AMYUM-19). At that time Rohrer was a junior officer trainee. A memo in May, 1964, by Henry D. Hecksher described Guertler as a junior officer. In addition, another memo by Hecksher had listed Karl Rohrer (under an assumed name) as one of the CIA personnel who had been known to AMYUM-19.

Furthermore, Guertler reported in January, 1964, that the remaining members of the AMGLOSSY team had applied for jobs with AMWORLD. The same report mentioned the confrontation between AMTORRID-4, Chinea and AMSEP-1 and AMSEP-4 in Costa Rica.

Also, Warren K. Guertler appears to have had the pseudonym of "Mike Guertler." Examples of this can be found in 104-10163-10041 (Pages 134, 189).
Sources:

104-10275-10051: CONTACT REPORT #15, PASS INSTRUCTIONS RE PROCUREMENT OF MATERIAL NEXT MEETING

10/08/63: Contact Report from Warren K. Guertler: "1. CO passed A-19 instructions pertaining to the procurement of certain materials through a KUBARK (CIA) proprietary Co., and relayed Hq. advice for facilitating travel of AMBIDDY-1 and AMJAVA-4... CO Comment: Guertler would like to know what position to take re AMBANG-1 if A-19 asks about ODYOKE (U.S. Government) backing. A-19 considers him part of a Kremlin conspiracy to put someone in power in place of AMTHUG-1. CO has so far taken the position that the AMYUMS are KUBARKS/CIA's Chosen People but that if someone in ODYOKE (possibly someone in ODACID) wants to encourage AMBANG-1 we should accept them as allies in the fight and worry about ideological differences later. CO would like to be prepared to answer A-19 if the fact that CIA is involved becomes known. (If Hq. has not denied CIA involvement to A-1, of course the question is academic)...4. Re attacks on A-1 by Diaz Lanz, Newsweek, The NY Times, etc. A-19 has a letter from the brother of Diaz refuting his charges as nonsense and it is being circulated. As for other attacks, they will remain unanswered. A-1 will try to get a public relations type in NY to tone down some of the more pro AMBANG-1 charges. CO told A-19 that regardless of what appears in print he should check with Guertler and A-1 should check with Beckhoff before launching any sort of major counter-attack...6. A-19 says that Alpha-66 and some of the other action groups have a coordinator so as not to be running into each other on their ops. The coordinator is one of A-19's boys. A-66 is planning a frogman op when the weather clears..."

104-10241-10153: DISPATCH: AMBIDDY-1'S CRITERIA IN THE SELECTION OF PERSONNEL

11/14/63: Dispatch from Chief, Special Affairs Staff to COS, JMWAVE: Page 2: ..."9. We do not expect Guertler to convey the above-mentioned thoughts as a formal demarche, but would prefer that, as he sees fit, they be injected into talks of a routine nature with AMYUM-19 where they do most good in strengthening AMBIDDY-1's hand. Also, we do not wish to discourage AMYUM-19 from giving vent to any misgivings he may entertain in the future."

104-10241-10148: CABLE: ON RETURN FROM CENTRAL AMERICA TRIP 19 NOV, AMBIDDY-1 BRIEFCASE

11/21/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMWORLD: "1. On return from Central America trip 15 Nov. AMBIDDY/1 briefcase containing sketches sabotage items, letter Costa Rican Pres Orlich, notebook with HQs AMWORLD phone number impounded by Customs for investigation possible A/1 involvement illegal arms shipment. Per 20 Nov telecom with Beckhoff Reuteman requested deputy collector of Customs in Miami Walter C. Stankiewicz to handle matter personally but not reveal ODYOKE (U.S. Government) intercession. 2. A/1 questioned by Stankiewicz under cover routine inspection and briefcase with contents returned to A/1. A/1 told Guertler that Stankiewicz took notes on all contents including addresses Atlantic-Chesapeake Corp., Interarmco, list of prices for equipment. A/1 expressed concern for repercussions if Orlich correspondence becomes known. Guertler told A/1 Stankiewicz will not reveal contents and suggested A/1 inform Beckhoff of incident soonest. 3. According to Stankiewicz concealment device not employed. Documents carried loose in attache case. This appears to be lapse in judgement on part A/1. AMYUM/19 guilty of same sin and Guertler will strongly remind him of incident and hope lesson not lost on AMWORLD principals."

104-10075-10139: JMWAVE CABLE RE AMWORLD AML STATING SHIP HAD PICKED UP 7 SURVIVORS FROM "THE CHIEF" WHICH REPORTED SUNK NEAR DRY TORTUGAS

11/21/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMWORLD: "On evening 20 Nov AMYUM/19 told Guertler that AMWORLD/2 received message from AMWORLD AML stating ship had picked up 7 survivors from 'The Chief' which reported sunk near Dry Tortugas. AMYUM/19 advised have ship inform QKMAGNET and handle in normal manner. QKMAGNET patrol vessel to rendezvous with AML and transfer survivors QKMAGNET not report not advised of KUBARK (CIA) interest in AML."

104-10075-10089: JMWAVE CABLE RE MSG FROM NACIN ELIAS

11/26/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMWORLD: "AMJAVA/4 informed of ref message from Nacin Elias 23 Nov. A/4 had no info on groups allegedly to participate in uprising and will inform AMBIDDY/1 for his decision on how answer Nacin. Guertler told A/4 that in absence further details he unable evaluate info and that he had no further info on plans. A/4 views any action this time unwise. Station views report of planned uprising possible GOC effort surface anti-regime elements prior to implementing Mil Service Act."

104-10438-10166: CABLE: 27 NOV 63 WARREN K. GUERTLER RECD FOLL INFO FROM AMYUM/19

12/03/63: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline MADR INFO DIR CITE WAVE 8447: RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMWORLD: "1. 27 Nov 63 Warren K. Guertler recd FOLL info from AMYUM-19 on morning 22 Nov Amparo (Godinez), owner of bar 'Marquesa de Cuba' in Madrid overheard former Cuban journalist Gaston Baquero tell one Canto (believed to be Rosendo (Canto) Hernandez, editor of Accion (Cubana) that he had received letter stating JFK would be killed that day. 2. A-19 received info 26 Nov from Maria Manuela de (Canal) whose address is Plaza del Nino Jesus No. 6, 2nd floor, Apartment D, Madrid. Canal close friend Godinez. A-19 en route WAVE area from Madrid and unable learn further details of alleged conversation. 3. Since AMWORLD program requires that any contact between A-19 and US Government not be revealed in any follow up on this info MADR STA may wish center inquires on Baquero via liaison with local SVC. 4. DIR: Have not passed above to ODFOAM (U.S. Secret Service) Miami." C/S Comment: *Dissemination applicable to RYBAT GPFLOOR cables."

104-10308-10083: CONTACT REPORT#38: 35 PRQ IS WERE GIVEN TO THE CASE OFFICER FOR TRACES

01/29/64: Contact Report from Warren K. Guertler: ..."6. Re Romanach and Alvarez (see report #37): The undersigned suggested that perhaps their desire to go to Cuba to attempt an assassination was motivated less by patriotism and more by a desire to get out of custody. A-19 does not think so. The two are not aware that they are in trouble. They are in a safe house in San Jose under the impression that they are merely to be transferred to another group. A-19 believes that they are in earnest. 7. The remaining members of the AMGLOSSY team have applied for jobs with AMWORLD. They told A-19 that they were sent over by CIA since we had no further use for them. It is planned to use them as instructors or as cadre. 8...The story of the affair is as follows: A-4 (AMTORRID-4) and Chinea were having trouble with the rest of their infiltration team and expressed a desire to have another assignment. AMTABBY-42 was attempting to settle the problem but was absent on 12 January. The two took advantage of A-42's absence to go AWOL from the Guillot camp. When their absence was discovered, AMSEP-1 went after them in AMBIDDY-1's auto (later impounded by the Costa Rican police)...AMSEP-1 overtook them and found them in front of the telegraph office in the post office at Heredia. AMSEP-4 forced the two to accompany him at pistol point over their vigorous protests. A smart rap on the head with the pistol secured their cooperation. They were taken to the safe house in San Juan. When AMYUM-19 arrived he was afraid that they would escape and create a problem (the S/H is not isolated at all). When he saw AMTORRID-4 and Chinea he apologized for the rough treatment...He told them as a formality they would have to stand trial, but would probably merely be transferred to a guerrilla unit. They apparently accepted this and are supposedly not aware...that several of their companions want to execute them immediately. The two were subsequently transferred to El Tortugero..."

104-10163-10041: ARTIME BUESA, MANUAL (VOL XII).

04/17/64: Dispatch from COS, JMWAVE to Chief, Special Affairs Staff: Subject: KAPOK/TYPIC/Operational/AMWORLD/AMWORLD CONTACT REPORTS: "Transmitted herewith are the Contact Reports of Warren K. Guertler for the period 5 - 14 April 1964."

104-10163-10041: ARTIME BUESA, MANUAL (VOL XII).

05/20/64: Memorandum from Henry D. Hecksher WH/SA/SO/HH: AMWORLD Meeting in Washington, D.C. 19 May 1964: Subject: AMBIDDY'S Personnel Policy: Page 2: ...."10. Beckhoff commented as follows: AMYUM-19 will have to tell Guertler or myself if in a given instance a personnel demarche is indicated. There are certain things which, with AMBIDDY-1 out of the country, simply cannot be put on the shelf. We have no choice but to tell Guertler to tell AMYUM-19 who, however, should feel free to counsel us not to use him as a channel. Headquarters rep conceded that AMBIDDY-1 could rightly resent anything which smacks of a junior officer (i.e. Guertler) giving orders to him via AMYUM-19, an impression we would do our best to eradicate."

104-10163-10041: ARTIME BUESA, MANUAL (VOL XII).

06/24/64: Cable from JMWAVE to Director: Slugline RYBAT TYPIC YOBITE AMWORLD: Page 3: "6. It Guertler opinion A/1 should not be encouraged attempt do it alone. From long range viewpoint believe it necessary recognize real political motivation many AMWORLDERS and fact they with project as AMYUMS, not as followers A/1. While A/1 probably able attract enough political activists continue commando and sabotage ops several key AMWORLDERs including AMSALON/1, AMYUM/29, AMHINT/27 as well as rebel army types would leave if A/1 broke with AMYUM for political reasons."

104-10163-10041: ARTIME BUESA, MANUAL (VOL XII).

Memorandum from Henry D. Hecksher WH/SA/SO/HH: AMWORLD Meeting in New Orleans, 24 June 1964: Subject: AMYUM-19 or Nice Guys Finish Last: Page 5: ..."4. In assessing the prospective consequences of a cessation of contact between AMYUM-19 and CIA, we shall have to take into account that he is fully cognizant of the fact that CIA supports AMWORLD. The relationship that has existed heretofore is known to him in all its facets. a. Under assumed names, the following CIA reps are known to him: Bobbie Hernandez, Raul Hernandez, Carl Jenkins, Karl Rohrer, Desmond FitzGerald, Henry Hecksher, Richard Beal, James Smith...c. He knows the following individuals and may suspect that they are somehow linked with CIA: Russell M. Sambora (P), Peter C. Knittel (P)..."

104-10109-10170: PROJECT AMWORLD

10/16/64: Memorandum from M. K. Holbik to Director of Security: Page 2: ..."The staff employee in Miami who handled AMWORLD matters was Mr. Karl Rohrer. It is believed that most of Rohrer's contacts in Miami, on behalf of the Project, were with Dr. Cesar Baro, whose cryptonym was AMYUM/19. Baro, until a falling out with Artime, had been the number three man in the Project. As of my departure from SAS, then WH/SA, Rohrer was assigned to the British Guiana Desk of WH and I believe was located in Barton Hall. Rohrer returned from Miami to Headquarters in about the early summer of 1964. After returning, he showed some bitterness toward the Project and commented that Artime was a weak man, a poor leader, of questionable morals, and that Cuban Project personnel, including Quintero and Baro were about ready to leave Artime's group, the MRR. Rohrer opined to me that the Project was 'doomed.' Rohrer was then a Junior Officer Trainee, GS-8. I personally believe that, if necessary, information could be elicited from Rohrer on a confidential basis..."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

© Mary Ferrell Foundation. All Rights Reserved. |Site Map |MFF Policies |Contact Us