During World War II Jack Hawkins was captured by the Japanese in the Philippines. After being moved from one location to another, a time or two, he and about half dozen Americans escaped and returned to the fight. He took part in the planning for the assault on Okinawa.

When working with the Cuban exiles the CIA needed someone who familiar with amphibious assaults and Marine Col Jack Hawkins was assigned. While the initial plans called for a less obvious infiltration, under Hawkins leadership it was expanded to a full scale invasion.

Hawkins was not pleased when the location of the attack was changed to the Bay of Pigs. The new location was not as conducive to success, but the upper leadership liked it better because in didn't not look as much as much like France with reminders of an American invasion.