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Francis Gary Powers gets the Silver Star

S

SSI01

Charter Member
CSAF Gen Norton Schwartz has stated former USAF pilot, and CIA U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers is to be posthoumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions on May 1, 1960, and his subsequent conduct as a prisoner of the Soviet Union prior to, during, and following his show trial by that nation. Powers was exchanged for Soviet spy Col Rudolf Abel in 1962.

If you have read Powers' book, "Operation Overflight," you will gain a new appreciation for what this man accomplished with little to no preparation for withstanding the rigors of professional interrogation plus being held in solitary confinement for long periods of time. He never divulged anything of worth to his Soviet interrogators through some gruelling questioning sessions. In addition, he kept hidden from them some facts regarding U-2 operations that, had they become known to the Soviets, would have been quite embarassing to this country. It's just a shame he never lived to see the award of this well-deserved decoration.:salute:
 
He was awarded the CIA's Intelligence Star in 1963.
After the mission was declassified in 1998, he was awarded posthumously in 2000, The Prisoner of War, National Defense Service, the CIA's Director's Medal, and most importantly The Distinguished Flying Cross.
All more major medals than a Silver Star in some folks opinion.
The Silver Star at this point is probably a little too late indeed. :kilroy:
 
Well, probably too late, and probably not that significant compared to what he's already been awarded, but still welcome. He deserves all the recognition we can give him.

If it was up to him, I'll bet he'd say that the best recognition we could offer would be to remember him as Frank, and stop calling him Gary - the middle name he disliked, that his ex-wife fed to the press because she liked it.
 
Mick said:
Well, probably too late, and probably not that significant compared to what he's already been awarded, but still welcome. He deserves all the recognition we can give him.

If it was up to him, I'll bet he'd say that the best recognition we could offer would be to remember him as Frank, and stop calling him Gary - the middle name he disliked, that his ex-wife fed to the press because she liked it.
Click to expand...

Yeah I saw it on news very briefly, just a few minutes ago.
It was awarded to Francis Gary Powers III, his grandson, who never got to meet his grandfather and namesake.
Good stuff. :salute:
 
Mick said:
. . . .the best recognition we could offer would be to remember him as Frank, and stop calling him Gary - the middle name he disliked, that his ex-wife fed to the press because she liked it.
Click to expand...


I hate spousal bickering. Frank it is, then!!:salute:
 
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