Francis Gary Powers
U-2 pilot and Cold War figure
Born
August 17th, 1929
96 years ago
Died
August 1st, 1977
48 years ago — 47 years old
Category
Military & Warriors
Country
United States
Links & References
Birth on August 17, 1929, took place in Jenkins, Kentucky. A career as a U.S. Air Force pilot led to a role in the CIA's U-2 program for high-altitude reconnaissance. In 1960, an operational flight over the Soviet Union resulted in capture after the aircraft was shot down. Following a spy trial in Moscow, Powers received a ten-year sentence but was exchanged for Soviet spy Rudolph Abel in 1962. His life thereafter included media work and writing about intelligence operations. His experiences highlighted the tensions of the Cold War.
Participation in U-2 reconnaissance flights
Capture and trial in the Soviet Union
Exchange for Soviet spy Rudolph Abel
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