Edward J. O’Donnell; Admiral Headed Cuban Base

Edward J. O’Donnell, 84, U.S. Navy admiral who commanded the Guantanamo, Cuba, base during the Cuban missile crisis and the Bay of Pigs invasion. The admiral became head of the Cuban base in December, 1960, when the United States and Cuba were about to begin diplomatic negotiations. Five months later, in April, 1961, O’Donnell led U.S. forces at the Cuban base in the covert Bay of Pigs invasion. Then, in October, 1962, President John F. Kennedy ordered a naval blockade to pressure Cuba to remove missiles from the island nation. O’Donnell was awarded a Legion of Merit “for exceptionally meritorious conduct” during his time at the Cuban base. On Monday in Monterey, Calif., of a heart attack.