Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz presents the Silver Star awarded posthumously to Air Force Capt. Francis Gary Powers to the captain's grandchildren, Francis Gary "Trey" Powers III and Lindsey Barry, during a ceremony in the Pentagon, June 15, 2012. Capt. Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union on May 1, 1960, and was honored for the heroism he displayed while held prisoner by the Soviets. The captain was released in 1962 . He died in a 1977 helicopter crash. U.S. Air Force photo by Scott M. Ash
Francis Gary Powers, right, is shown with U-2 designer Kelly Johnson in 1966. Powers was an Air Force fighter pilot recruited by the CIA in 1956 to fly civilian U-2 missions deep into Russia. Powers and other Air Force Reserve pilots resigned their commissions to become civilians. Air Force file photo
I have had the pleasure of meeting Gary Powers Jr. Founder of the Cold War Museum. He has been rightfully a tireless champion for his fathers legacy. I am so glad this long overdue honor was bestowed on his father. All I have to say is it is about time Air Force better late than never.
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Sean P Eagan
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Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans
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