Juan Cosculluela He was born in Habana on 07/29/1937 to Jose R Cosculluela (lawyer and notary) and Esther Ilduarte. He was the youngest of 5 kids (2 boys and 3 girls). They were a middle class family who lived El Vedado, Habana, Cuba. Even though his father wanted to him to become a lawyer, his actual desire was to become Officer from the Navy. After 2 semesters at Universidad de la Habana/Law School, he jumped into the Academia Naval del Mariel in Sept 1956, obtaining a degree in Nautical Studies in 1959. Interestingly enough, he did not join the military branch, instead opting to join the Merchant Marines. He made this decision based on the fact that he didn't share the ideology of the government at that time. In 1960 he married Rosa de la Hoya. During that period, Castro nationalized all private companies and created the national fleet “Mambisa”. During 08/1960, the foreign trade between USA and Cuba was disrupted. He was in charge of a ship exporting sugar to the Soviet Union. It was his experiences in dealing with the former USSR that led him to the determination that he had to fight Castro. He initiated a conspiracy to take over the ship with other marines. When he went back to Cuba was able to send his wife to Miami. During November 1960 he deserted while at in Panama together with other 5 officials. After 30 days, the American authorities approved their residency and join the Cuban exile in Miami on 12/02/1960. He enrolled at the Naval Commission of the Frente Revolucionario and he went to Vieques to receive training. At the time, his wife was pregnant (18 years old) with his eldest daughter Gleiva when he left on 12/1960 for training. He eventually came to serve as Cuban Senior Office on LCL Blagar. On the night of the invasion, they departed from Puerto Cabezas, Nicaruagua, with the unit being assigned as Flagship of landing at Playa Giron. On April 16, 1961, his crew entered Cuban waters and performed the ceremonial changing of the flag from Nicaraguan to Cuban vessel. He became known as the Cuban captain, as ordered by the Americans. At night the ship opened fire to support the frog men when they were caught by a patrol militia of Giron. Manuel Otaño was wounded. Other ships sank when they crashed against reefs. His ship searched and targeted a Cuban ship which was supposed to be a military ship (this episode is described in youtube/”out of the shadows”). It also helped rescue 16 who were left on the sea after their ship was on fire. All the while, we were taking fire from Castro’s air force. On April 17th, the ship suffered several air strikes; however, they successfully shot down an enemy B26. Unfortunately, by April 18th, they ran out of ammunition. It was decided that we had to head back. On the 19th, it was decided to make a last attempt to return to the island, but it was canceled later by order of the American Destroyers. They returned to Vieques on April 20th and stayed until April 24. The crew returned to Miami on May 20th, when they received the order to demobilize. He described this as the saddest days of his life. Still, he believed that we lost a battle, but not war. POST INVASION: After a period of rest and recovery in Miami was called by Grayston Lynch to join the Naval Section of Operation Mongoose September 1961, 1963 Worked in undercover operations and commands aboard the PT Susan Ann, ASR El Barbero, Prowler Wasp and fishing vessels Hilda Maria and Angelina, see cubanspecialoperations.org Joined the U.S. Navy OCS schools Fort Benning Ga, Navy OCS / Newport RI / assigned to the amphibious fleet of the Atlantic in Norfolk VA in April 1965 resigned Joined the CIA as skipper of intermediate ships for infiltration. I served aboard the Prowler, “Mrs Bee.” I lost my unit from fire onboard. Serve as Group Chief serving aboard the Formulas Roine. At the end of 69 I was called by the military group to join the Torriente plan, participating in the attack on Sama. Civil Experience: Working l972-73 Container American Shipping in the Port of Miami as Chief Asst Stevedoring and Port Captain of this company Port Captain of Rodson 1974-1989 Shipping / Opera 6 bulks carriers and Roll On & Roll Off 1990-2000 Port Capt of Serviocean International / operating 6 bulk carriers 2001 as a Crew Manager with 6 ships Serviocean more (5) tankers Ship Discharged after having organized The tanker crews. 2002 Assisting on my son’s company JC / view landseatransport.net