U.S. PILOT SHOT DOWN BY SOVIET MISSILES AS HE RETURNED FROM MISSION OVER CUBA
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On October 27, 1962, President John F. Kennedy was informed in an afternoon meeting that a U2 spy plane piloted by Major Rudolf Anderson* was shot down by Soviet missiles as he returned from a mission over Cuba.
The 35 year old pilot was shot down at 11:39 a.m. on the 12th day of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy would later write...
"The President was more disturbed by the death of Major Anderson than he was worried about (Soviet premier) Khrushchev."*
JFK+50 NOTE
JFK wrote a letter of condolence to Mrs. Anderson in which he disclosed that her husband would be awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
*Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr. (1927-1962) was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. His family relocated to Greenville, SC & he graduated from Greenville High School & Clemson University (1948) where he majored in textile engineering. Upon joining the U.S. Air Force RA was assigned to the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron.
SOURCES
"Day 12 of 13 Day Cuban Missile Crisis 51 Years Ago Today," JFK+50, October 27, 2013, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/
"Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr.," South Carolina Aviation Association, www.scaaonline.com/
"Upstate Air Force veteran killed during Cuban Missile Crisis honored on 63-year anniversary," Fox Carolina, October 27, 2025, www.foxcarolina.com/
