Birth of Frank Fiorini
Frank Angelo Fiorini, later known as Frank Sturgis, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on December 9, 1924.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Frank Sturgis Biography and Timeline
Follow Frank Sturgis through 62 dated historical records for United States of America.
Frank Sturgis, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
62Distinct records
1 of 2Page
1924–1975Years on this page
1924
1956
Castro Revolutionary Association
Archival records describe Frank Fiorini, later known as Frank Sturgis, as an American adventurer associated with Fidel Castro's revolutionary forces before the Cuban Revolution succeeded.
1957
Cuban Revolutionary Activity
Federal records later described Fiorini as a soldier of fortune involved in Cuban revolutionary activity during the struggle against the Batista government.
1958
26th of July Movement
Biographical accounts state that Sturgis operated a training camp in the Sierra Maestra and instructed members of Castro's rebel forces in guerrilla warfare.
Sierra Maestra Training Activity
Sturgis became involved in military training connected with Castro's rebel forces in Cuba before later turning against the Castro government.
1959
26th of July Movement
Biographical accounts state that after Castro's January 1959 victory, Sturgis held security and intelligence-related responsibilities before later breaking with the new government.
Post-Revolution Cuban Role
After Castro's victory, Sturgis held security-related responsibilities in Cuba before his political break with the new government.
Break With Castro
Sturgis left his earlier pro-Castro position and moved into opposition to the Cuban government.
1960
Planned Return to Cuba
A CIA biographical record stated that Fiorini planned to leave Florida on December 16, 1960, to return to Cuba and fight against Castro.
Cuba Libre Association
Records from the period place Sturgis among anti-Castro activists associated with organizations operating from the Miami area.
Miami Anti-Castro Activity
By 1960, Sturgis was active among anti-Castro militants and Cuban exile contacts operating from South Florida.
1961
Anti-Castro Military Contacts
Sturgis maintained contacts with armed anti-Castro activists during the period surrounding the Bay of Pigs invasion and subsequent exile operations.
Cuban Exile Operations
Sturgis became a recurring figure in federal records concerning independent and exile-backed operations directed against Castro's Cuba.
Florida Training Contacts
Federal intelligence files documented Sturgis's continuing contact with Cuban exile figures involved in paramilitary training in Florida.
Independent Anti-Castro Venture Reporting
Federal agencies tracked independent anti-Castro ventures in Florida in which Sturgis appeared as a recurring contact, participant, or subject of reporting.
1962
CIA Biographical Review
A CIA memorandum dated July 3, 1962, reviewed information about Frank Fiorini, later known as Frank Sturgis, and his Cuban activities.
Anti-Castro Soldier of Fortune Profile
Government records repeatedly characterized Sturgis as a soldier of fortune involved in anti-Castro operations based in the Miami area.
Federal File on Frank Fiorini
Federal agencies maintained files on Fiorini because of his extensive anti-Castro activity and contacts with Cuban exile organizations.
Fiorini-Sturgis Alias Review
Federal biographical material used both Frank Fiorini and Frank Sturgis when reconstructing his Cuban revolutionary background and later political activities.
1963
June Cuba Raid Allegation
Later HSCA records noted an allegation that Marcos Diaz Lanz invited Sturgis to take part in a proposed June 1963 raid against Cuba; investigators treated it as an allegation.
Air Strike Planning Report
An archival report dated October 30, 1963, described Frank Fiorini as an American pilot involved in planning air strikes against Cuba.
No Established Dallas Presence
Later official investigations did not establish that Sturgis was present in Dealey Plaza when President Kennedy was assassinated.
No Warren Commission Identification
The Warren Commission did not identify Sturgis as a participant in President Kennedy's assassination or as one of the men detained near Dealey Plaza.
Anti-Castro Activity Before Assassination
Federal records place Sturgis in the anti-Castro milieu during the period immediately preceding President Kennedy's assassination.
Anti-Castro Pilot Profile
A 1963 federal profile described Sturgis as an experienced pilot connected with militant anti-Castro circles operating from Florida.
1972
Watergate
During the Watergate operation, James McCord handles the bugging equipment, Bernard Barker photographs documents, Virgilio Gonzalez works on the locks, and Sturgis serves as a lookout.
Watergate
Frank Sturgis is assigned a lookout role during preparations for the Watergate operation.
Watergate
Sturgis joins the Watergate team in Washington as the group finalizes plans to enter the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
Watergate Arrest Connection
Sturgis's arrest as one of the Watergate burglars in June 1972 later drew renewed public attention to his earlier anti-Castro activities.
Arrest of Frank Sturgis, Virgilio Gonzalez, Eugenio Martinez, Bernard Barker and James McCord
Frank Sturgis, Virgilio Gonzalez, Eugenio Martinez, Bernard Barker and James W. McCord Jr. are arrested inside the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate complex.
1973
Watergate Guilty Plea
Frank Sturgis pleads guilty on January 15, 1973, to charges arising from the Watergate break-in.
1974
CIA Phone Contact Record
CIA records include a January 31, 1974, memorandum concerning a telephone call from Frank Sturgis during the period of renewed assassination speculation.
Weberman and Canfield Photo Claim
Researchers Alan Weberman and Michael Canfield argued that photographs of Dealey Plaza detainees resembled E. Howard Hunt and Frank Sturgis; this remained an allegation rather than an official finding.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
In a Time article, Sturgis claims that the Watergate burglars had been instructed to find a particular document in the Democratic Party offices.
1975
Dick Gregory Evidence Submission
Dick Gregory and associates submitted photographic material to the Rockefeller Commission alleging that Hunt and Sturgis resembled men detained in Dallas.
Rockefeller Inquiry into Dallas Allegation
The Rockefeller Commission investigated claims that Sturgis and E. Howard Hunt had been present near the Kennedy assassination scene.
Sturgis Rockefeller Interview
Sturgis was interviewed during the Rockefeller Commission's examination of allegations connecting him with the Kennedy assassination.
Rockefeller Photographic Comparison
The Rockefeller Commission examined photographic comparisons used to claim that Sturgis was one of the three men detained near Dealey Plaza.
New York Daily News Interview
In a June 20, 1975, newspaper interview, Sturgis described himself as a spy, a claim that attracted additional attention to his intelligence associations.
Rockefeller Assassination Rebuttal
The Rockefeller Commission found no credible evidence supporting allegations that the CIA, E. Howard Hunt, or Frank Sturgis participated in President Kennedy's assassination.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.