Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-02-11
Powers u. S.-Bound
To Family Reunion
W Pilot Is Exchanged
For Col. Abel, Red Spy
BY. EARL H. VOSS
Star Staff Writer


Francis Gary Powers American U2 pilot freed by Russia
at lonely Berlin bridge yesterday dramatic trade for
the Krelns master spy, Rudolf Abel flying home last
night for reunion with his wife and parents.
tight curtain of secrecy drawn by White House order
kept world in the dark where when Capt Powers
Air Force propeller Constellation carrying him home
ward from Germany. would land. -
White House Press Secretary Pierre Salinger say
only that Capt Powers would arrive yesterday today
where in the United States He will be reunited with his family
and Intercepted by Government officials presumably Central
Intelligence Agency officials before he permitted to re-
porters Interviews will be barred for 10 days two weeks
told
One report that Powers landed air base near
Del late yesterday afternoon
of the Eastern Shore be questioned by CHA agents.
The indicated Powers might be kept secuson
than week for intelligence debriefings and nteoga
ton about his experiences in the Soviet Union.
check at Dover however failed to turn up any nfor
nation subanate the report At the time the family
appeared convergng Washington for rendezvous
this His wife heading for Washington from Georgia
by commercial arlner and his parents left Norton Va by
automobile at about pm.
Swap Made Berlin Bridge
The reale thriller to climax early yesterday
morning the bridge in West Berlin escorts APP
preached the Gecke Bridge the Russian group
with Capt Powers, the American group with Col Abel
The group remained there 20 minutes until the Americans
confirmed by telephone that another detained American Fred
Leroy student had been released by East Germany
through the Berlin wall
When confirmation came, Capt Powers and Col Abel
changed escorts and all departed
Capt Powers hgh-flying w. craft crashed Sverd-
ovsk deep the Soviet Union May 1860 He given
10-year sentence after Moscow show trial.
COL Abel to 3Oyear prison term in Novem
Der, 1857.
American authorities the swap met plus for
United States They contended that Capt Powers could tell
American officials they didn't know than Abel could tell
the Russians
Col Abes reservoir of knowledge pretty we'll de-
peted authorities said noting the Russian has been
in Jail here for more than four years
Powers Future Undecided
1t was in the area intelligence operations that know-
edgabe officials greatest significance in the swap They
did not expect incident to usher in more reason
able Berlin South Wet Man, disarmament OF
any of the other problems dividing East and West 1t
would not have "cosmic significance they predicted
Capt Powers future still obscure American autnor
year for the year. eight months and nine days ne had been
lin Soviet custody his status would be was not
dvulged 1t possibly not been decided
Government said he not in CUSTODY ana no
charges had been placed against him. .
This was consistent with State Department policy at the
time of Capt conviction by Moscow court in August
of Capt Powers would not be prosecuted 1t was said
the State Department sees nothing IN MS onouct 10
warrant such prosecution"
Two other pilots imprisoned by the Russians.
John McKone Freeman Omsead RB-47 flyers got maxi
dent welcomed and brought them to the White
House with for coffee but they were not permitted
to hold press conference until after several days Of ntero
cation by Government officials.
reported that Capt powers hao promlSed1
will again Soviet Russia His wife meanwhile
was specializing loved to fly and could be expected to
return to his career as a pilot.
Union reported the release OF Capt Powers but
not the return mentioned three points about
the pilots Capt Powers had repened for the flight
See POWERS, Page A-1O