Orlando Castro Hidalgo

Fidel Castro's victory over the forces of Fulgencio Batista in 1959 put him in command of the Cuban government. In 1961 his command was challenged by an invasion of U.S.-backed Cuban expatriates. The invaders landed at two beaches on the Bay of Pigs, on the opposite end of the island from Havana, hoping that the invasion would incite a popular uprising against Castro. Instead, the Cuban people remained loyal to Castro while the Cuban military drove the invaders off the island after three days of hard fighting. The victory solidified Castro's control because it secured the confidence and support of the Cuban people, who now regarded Castro as the savior of their nation. This support allowed him to continue to build socialism on the island for the next forty-plus years.

Orlando Castro Hidalgo fought as a pro-Castro guerrilla...