It is essential for the reader to remember that this is a memoir; in otherwords, a record of events based on the authors experiences and feelings. Becauseof the secrecy restrictions at the time these events occurred, and in some casesfor many years thereafter, the author kept no diary, notes, or record and wrote noletters describing his work. Furthermore, almost without exception, all the peoplewith whom and for whom he worked are now dead. Consequently, in writingthis book, the author has been entirely dependent on his memory. At the age ofninety-one, this memory may have at times been defective or twisted. However,there can be no doubt the story is true. Careful research of the archives of theOffice of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, the U.S. Navy, and the CIAshould substantiate this. But even here, there will be difficulties due to secrecyand the deindexing of the FBIs Latin American files by its then-director ratherthan turn them over to the hated CIA. Moreover, the authors foolish refusal toaccede to the request of his commanding officer to write the history of the navaloperation Roads End immediately after its conclusion and for which he hadreceived a commendation has erased forever the details of that historic event.Finally, the tragic suicide of the CIAs director of operations subsequent to theKim Philby espionage scandal diminished the possibility of a proper analysis ofevents surrounding it in Washington . . .
