Exhibit takes a look the 'U-2 Incident'

By: Joe Tennis | TriCities.com
Published: March 04, 2010

The memories from Pound, Va., go on and on about man whose plane was shot down during the Cold War in Russia.
That pilot’s name: Francis Gary Powers.
Born in 1929, Powers grew up in Pound and graduated from both Grundy High School in Grundy, Va., and Milligan College in Tennessee.
Powers enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1950. Ultimately, he became a civilian pilot flying for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
On May 1, 1960, the American U-2 reconnaissance plane that Powers was flying was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over the Soviet Union.
The plane crashed, largely intact. And Powers’ crash became known as the “U-2 Incident.”
Because the U-2 plane was specifically designed for covert surveillance, Powers was tried by the Soviet government.
Powers was convicted as a spy and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
But, in 1962, after 21 months of captivity, Powers was exchanged in Germany for a Soviet agent. He returned to the United States.
The CIA, however, gave him the cold shoulder for having failed to destroy the plane – or kill himself.
Fortunately, less than one month later, a Senate committee determined that Powers followed orders and did not divulge any critical information to the Soviets, thus fully exonerating him.
Powers died in 1977. Decades later, his story still intrigues.
In January, the Virginia Historical Society (VHS) opened an exhibition called “Cold War Crisis: The U-2 Incident” to chronicle the life of Powers and his crash.
This exhibition tells the story of how Powers went from being a military pilot on a top-secret mission to an international figure caught in the crossfire of political conflict. It also explores the military tension and economic competition between the United States and the Soviet Union.
“Francis Powers’ story is one that made world news and had a huge influence on international relations for decades,” said Paul Levengood, the president of the VHS, in a news release.
“Some Virginians may remember the U-2 incident,” Levengood said. “But, to many, the story will be new.”
“The Cold War Crisis: The U-2 Incident” exhibition has been organized by The Cold War Museum, which was founded by Powers’ son, Francis Gary Powers Jr.
The exhibition features more than 50 items, including photos, letters, Soviet artifacts and a never-before-seen propaganda poster that Powers’ son has kept in his Midlothian, Va., home.
Gary Powers Jr. is presenting a gallery walk of the exhibition on March 10 at noon at the VHS museum, 428 North Blvd., Richmond. Gallery walks are $6 for adults; $5 for seniors age 55 and over; and $4 for students and children under age 18. There is no charge to visit the exhibition while it is on display through May 30. Call (804) 358-4901 or visit www.vahistorical.org.

Exhibit takes a look the 'U-2 Incident'

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