SPY PLANE SHOT DOWN BY SOVIETS
Moscow, U.S.S.R. (JFK+50) On May 1, 1960, a United States U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, piloted by Francis Gary Powers*, was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over Soviet air space. This was the first attempt by the U.S. to make a clandestine flight all the way across the Soviet Union.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, claiming that this was a weather plane that strayed accidentally over Russia, was forced to admit it was a spy plane when Premier Nikita Khrushchev produced not only the wreckage of the U-2 but also the captured pilot.
The U-2 incident spoiled chances for success of the coming summit meeting. Ike called it the "stupid U-2 mess". It was one of the most embarrassing moments of the Eisenhower Presidency.
*Francis Gary Powers (1929-1977) was born in Jenkins, KY & graduated from Milligan College (TN) in 1950. FGP enlisted in the US Air Force & was recruited by the CIA. He had participated in many covert missions before the U-2 incident. FGP was found guilty of espionage & sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was exchanged in 1962.
Powers Wears a Special Pressurized Suit
RIA Novosti Archive
Photo by Chernov/4ephob
Moscow, U.S.S.R. (JFK+50) On May 1, 1960, a United States U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, piloted by Francis Gary Powers*, was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over Soviet air space. This was the first attempt by the U.S. to make a clandestine flight all the way across the Soviet Union.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, claiming that this was a weather plane that strayed accidentally over Russia, was forced to admit it was a spy plane when Premier Nikita Khrushchev produced not only the wreckage of the U-2 but also the captured pilot.
The U-2 incident spoiled chances for success of the coming summit meeting. Ike called it the "stupid U-2 mess". It was one of the most embarrassing moments of the Eisenhower Presidency.
*Francis Gary Powers (1929-1977) was born in Jenkins, KY & graduated from Milligan College (TN) in 1950. FGP enlisted in the US Air Force & was recruited by the CIA. He had participated in many covert missions before the U-2 incident. FGP was found guilty of espionage & sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was exchanged in 1962.
Powers Wears a Special Pressurized Suit
RIA Novosti Archive
Photo by Chernov/4ephob
