Pseudonym: Kerchner, George Michael
Mickey Kappes was from the Bronx, New York, and graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. Kappes had 4 years experience as a maritime engineer on merchant ships. He spent 2 years in the U.S. Navy, and was a UDT (diving, "frogman"). Kappes was in Cuba for 2 and a half years in Cuba. Kappes was involved in the exfiltration of Raul Chibas from Cuba and was an engineer and operations officer on the Seagull and Tejana vessels.
According to an obituary George Kappes died on March 23, 2025. He was born on December 6, 1932.
https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/2025/0318/104-10105-10290%20(C06932214).pdf
11/02/73: Memo from Erich W. Isenstead, Chief, Cover & Commercial Staff to Acting General Counsel: Subject: Mr. E. Howard Hunt - Alias Birth Documentation: ..."3. Later in the afternoon of 30 October 1973 Mr. Franklin came to my office with a number of documents. They consisted of a form memorandum signed by me which was addressed to Mr. Hunt dated 29 June 1970 (Tab B), a list of names numbering from 1 through 154, representing true names (Tab C), and a second listing similarly numbered, representing aliases (Tab D). Number 63 on the true name list reads E. Howard Hunt and on the alias list, Edward Joseph Hamilton. Mr. Franklin explained - which I had forgotten - that we had obtained from TSD this list of outstanding alias birth certificates issued by TSD in an attempt to recall - if possible - as many of these documents, or to determine what had happened to them. (Most of these alias birth certificates were issued in connection with the Bay of Pigs operation)..."
"TRUE NAME...83. KAPPES, George Michael. ..." - - - Page 3: "ALIAS...83. KERCHNER, George Michael..." - - - March 18, 2025 release, pages 1, 3: https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/2025/0318/104-10105-10290.pdf
180-10141-10250: REVIEW OF MANUEL RAY Y RIVERO FILES, VOLUMES I - VIII
Undated HSCA document by Betsy Palmer: Page 8: ..."2. Cable to Director: 19 September 1960: Increasing suspicion Raul Chibas a Castro plant. Since exfiltration by Kappes, Chibas has laid low but back in picture as representative of Ray. Common knowledge that Chibas brought Kappes out of Cuba, but should be noted that Kappes has since been in and out of Cuba three times with no apparent difficulties. Chibas's source of information: Mason in U.S. Government. Manuel de Jesus (REDACTION) as FRD representatives. Nino Diaz as Alianza representative. Don Hogan Kappes as Alberto Fernandez representative. This should get a good picture of the U.S. anti-Castro activities..."
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."
104-10312-10362: LIST OF NAMES: WILLIAM (RIP) RUTHERFORD
Undated CIA document: ..."Michael (Mickey) Kelly: Graduated from Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. Four years experience as maritime engineer on merchant ships. Two years U.S. Navy, UDT (diving, 'frogman'. Two and a half years in Cuba. Background in diving, treasure hunting. Diesel engineer. (Daniels Towing)."
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. Joaquin Powell Rubio, 7 Dec 24, Sancti Spiritus. Small boat operator (catamaran and/or raft from Tejana to shore) and gunner. 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..." - - - This version of the same document had number 3 next to Kappes' name. 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.: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=52121#relPageId=22&search=
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 (Robert Clark Stevens true name probably Bob Simon) 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."
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/merritt-island-fl/george-kappes-12306524
Obituary to George Kappes on dignitymemorial.com: "George M. 'Mickey' Kappes of Merritt Island, FL passed away on March 23, 2025: He was born 06 Dec. 1932 in The Bronx, NY to NYPD Detective George Kappes, Jr. and Marcella (Brennan) Kappes. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes H.S. in The Bronx in 1950. He then earned an appointment to the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY and graduated in August 1954 with a B.S. Degree in Marine Engineering, a 3rd Assistant Engineer’s License in the Merchant Marine and a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served three years at sea in the Merchant Marine and two years on active duty as an EOD/Diving Officer in the U.S. Navy. After Naval service, he resided for two years in Havana, Cuba operating a plastics manufacturing business but the harassment by the Cuban communist government forced him to flee to Miami especially after exfiltrating by boat to Key West a high ranking, anti-communist Castro official to Key West. When passing through Miami, Mickey was contacted and recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency in late 1960. This led to a 45-year career (including a post-retirement contract) with the CIA as a Senior Operations Officer with assignments all over the globe, including many war zones, in Intelligence Collection and Paramilitary Operations. He was awarded the Career Intelligence Medal and the Intelligence Commendation Medal, and also participated in a Unit Citation in a War Zone Country. Following his retirement from the CIA, Mickey worked at Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant near Golden, Colorado as a Senior Security Manager for four years after which he returned to CIA duty as a Contract Officer for 14 years teaching Intelligence Tradecraft in a number of overseas countries including many War Zones. Mickey and his family made their last move (of 12) to Merritt Island, FL in 1997." CONTINUED BELOW
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/merritt-island-fl/george-kappes-12306524
"Mickey was predeceased by his beloved spouse of 49 years, Beatrice Marilyn (nee: Kivela) Kappes, his son George M. Kappes IV, his parents and his youngest brother James and brother Jerry Kappes. He is survived by his son Benjamin (Stephanie); and his loving grandchildren Matthew, Eli and Noah. Mickey took pride in providing for this family and staying in close contact with old friends from Kings Point and the CIA. He loved jazz and classical music, and reading military/political history. His passions were Scuba diving and spear fishing (he founded the Trident Club at Kings Point) and golf with good friends. In lieu of flowers, Mickey would prefer you buy a nice bottle of wine and toast the friendship he cherished with you over the years. Mickey will be buried at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Florida alongside his beloved spouse Bea and his U.S. Army veteran son, George M. IV. RIP."