Bay of Pigs Air Memorial

About the Memorial

The Bay of Pigs Air Memorial stands at Miami Executive Airport in Kendall, Florida. It is a lasting tribute to the American and Cuban pilots and aircrew who lost their lives during the Bay of Pigs invasion of April 1961.

At the heart of the memorial is a restored Douglas B-26 Invader aircraft, similar to the bombers flown by the Liberation Air Force of Brigade 2506. The aircraft's nose is pointed toward Cuba in symbolic remembrance.

This memorial was created through the efforts of the Cuban Pilots Association (CUPA), under the leadership of Captain Amado Cantillo, together with many fellow veterans, donors, and community supporters who contributed their time, resources, and design efforts so that the courage of these airmen would never be forgotten.

In the late 1990s, the Cuban Pilots Association led the effort to locate a Douglas B-26 and arrange for it to become the centerpiece of the memorial at what was then known as Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport. Many others helped with donations, planning, and construction.

The Memorial Today

The B-26 rests above a granite plaza inlaid with the Cuban flag, flanked by a portrait wall and granite obelisk. Select any photo to view it larger.

The B-26 Invader, mounted above the honor plaques on the memorial plaza

Aerial view — the B-26 rests on a painted Cuban flag, the granite monument on a star

The memorial grounds, with the granite obelisk at right

The B-26 Invader, nose pointed toward Cuba

Portraits of the honored airmen

The granite monument

Captain Amado Cantillo — Underwater Demolition Team member who led the rescue of Brigade 2506 survivors, and the community leader responsible for building this monument. His dream came true.

Cuban Pilots Association (CUPA) — Pilot Heroes of the Air Battle

Rear view of the B-26

Those We Honor

The memorial plaque lists the air force pilots who died in combat during the Bay of Pigs operation, along with support personnel who landed and perished at Playa Girón.

The four American airmen from the Alabama Air National Guard were posthumously awarded the CIA's Distinguished Intelligence Cross. Their sacrifice, together with that of their Cuban comrades, is remembered here.

Historical Photos

From the arrival of the B-26 to the construction of the memorial plaza.

The B-26 arrives by flatbed truck for installation

B-26 arriving by truck

Unloading the aircraft

Preparing the site

After arrival, before the memorial plaza was finished

Archival Document

In 1998, U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen wrote to Maj. Gen. Charles H. Perez at Tinker Air Force Base thanking him for helping the Cuban Pilots Association locate and arrange delivery of the Douglas B-26 Invader that became the centerpiece of this memorial — "a valued, historical, living testament to all those who suffer for freedom's sake."

Visit Us

The memorial is outdoors and easily accessible. It is a quiet place of remembrance located near the entrance area of the airport.