Francis Gary Powers

Francis Gary Powers (Jenkins, Kentucky August 17, 1929 – Los Angeles, California, August 1, 1977) was an American pilot. He was known for piloting a Central Intelligence Agency U-2 spy plane which was shot down while flying a reconnaissance mission over the Soviet Union. This caused the 1960 U-2 incident, and played a large role in the Cold War.

Powers was held as a prisoner of war in the Soviet Union. On February 10, 1962, Powers was exchanged in a spy swap in Berlin. The exchange was for Soviet KGB Colonel Vilyam Fisher, known as "Rudolf Abel", who had been caught by the FBI and tried and jailed for espionage.Famous Cases: Rudolph Ivanovich Abel (Hollow Nickel Case) . Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Powers credited his father with the swap idea. When released, Powers's total time in captivity was 1 year, 9 months, and 10 days. 

Powers died in Los Angeles County, California in a helicopter crash, aged 47.

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Category:1929 births
Category:1977 deaths
Category:Aviation deaths in the United States
Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
Category:Prisoners of war
Category:Spies
Category:American aviators
Category:Military people from Kentucky
Category:American inventors
Category:People from Kentucky