Francis Gary Powers

Francis Gary Powers was an American pilot known for flying a U-2 spy plane during the Cold War. In 1960, he was shot down over the Soviet Union while conducting reconnaissance missions. Captured by Soviet forces, Powers was tried and sentenced to prison but was later exchanged for a Soviet spy in 1962. His incident heightened tensions between the U.S. and the USSR, revealing the risks of espionage. Powers became a notable figure in discussions about government secrecy and intelligence operations. After his return, he worked in various jobs and later became a journalist before his untimely death in 1977.