The Cuban Revolution led to the notoriety of several figures in Cuban history, one of whom was William Alexander Morgan, an American citizen. Morgan was responsible for helping in the overthrow of military leader Fulgencio Batista, a move that elevated dictator Fidel Castro into power.
Morgan hailed from Ohio, arriving in Cuba when he was 29 years old. He joined the fight to change the government in Cuba in 1957, fueled by the need to help the fight against the current military regime.
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Morgan learned Spanish and taught fighting tactics to other Cuban rebels on behalf of the cause, being named army chief of Castro's forces in the Las Villas Province. In 1958, Batista's Army went so far as to inform Morgan's family that he had been killed during a fight with the Cuban army. Weeks later the family received word from Morgan himself, reassuring them that he was indeed alive.
After intense battles, with Morgan being a key player in leading revolutionaries, Batista left the country with his men. Castro took power and finally met Morgan, face to face, for the first time in January 1959 on a march to Havana. Morgan was placed in charge of the southern port city of Cienfuegos after Castro took control.
In September of the same year, Morgan renounced his United States citizenship. He was declared a Cuban citizen shortly after, at the age of 31.
Morgan's relationship with Castro took a turn in October 1960, when Morgan was arrested on suspicion of being a double agent. His loyalty to the Castro regime was questioned and eventually he has prosecuted for aiding insurgents in Cuba.
Morgan was held in solitary confinement until his trial and convicted with a sentence to be shot in March 1961. Days later, Morgan was executed by firing squad and then buried in a "traitor's grave" in Cuba. Up until the end, he maintained he was innocent of the charges.
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