 Members of Rifle Security Company, Windward Side, 2nd Platoon believed that one of their number, Pfc.William Alvarado, was a malingerer and had informed about a Marine firing across the border into Cuba.In a retaliatory hazing (called a "Code Red"), ten Marines seized Alvarado, blindfolded him, stuffed a rag in his mouth, beat him, and shaved his head.