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By Rex Barber
Johnson City Press
MILLIGAN COLLEGE –– Nikita Khrushchev sent a telegram to the parents of Francis Gary Powers stating their son was subject to the laws of the Soviet Union for spying and he could not intervene in the nation’s court system. The Soviet leader did offer to arrange a visit with their pilot son who was shot down May 1, 1960, flying a reconnaissance mission in a U-2 spy plane over Soviet air space.
This correspondence and more on the life of Powers is archived at Milligan College, where Powers attended from 1946-50.
Powers’ capture was considered one of the most significant events of the Cold War, which lasted from 1945 until 1991. Powers, who died in 1977 in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles, will be presented posthumously today with a Silver Star in a ceremony at the Pentagon for his service to the country. The Silver Star is the third highest decoration presented to military members.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Powers’ release from Soviet prison for his conviction on being a spy by a Soviet court. He was released in an exchange agreement in February 1962.
From Pound, Va., Powers majored in biology and minored in chemistry in his pursuit of a pre-med degree at Milligan. He joined the Air Force as a second lieutenant after graduation and was recruited by the CIA in 1956.
The materials archived at Milligan regarding Powers include a telegram sent from then President Dean Walker to Powers’ father, Oliver, assuring him the “faculty and students at Milligan hold Francis in affectionate esteem” and “believe in his patriotism and integrity. Our sympathy to you and family in your anxious moments.”
Powers was able to send letters to his parents. Milligan has a copy of the first letter dated May 26, 1960. In it Powers tells his family that he is in good health and had plenty of food and rest. He encourages his family, telling them not to worry even though he is in a “bad situation.”
Powers also wrote that he was given a tour of Moscow on his second day in captivity.
“I enjoyed it very much,” he wrote. “It is a beautiful city and the people here seem very proud of it.”
In a letter sent from Oliver Powers to Khrushchev, the distraught father asked that his son be treated leniently and released as soon as possible.
“As one father to another, I plead with you to let him come home as soon as you can find it in your heart to do so, so that he may be with us a while longer,” Oliver Powers wrote.
Khrushchev responded via Western Union.
“I must inform you that your son will be tried according to the laws of the Soviet Union,” Khrushchev said in the telegram. “The law is the law and I am not in a position to interfere in the matter which is entirely within the competence of the court.
“If you wish to come to the Soviet Union to see your son I am ready to help you in this matter.”
In a three-day show trial, Powers was convicted of espionage. He was sentenced to 10 years but spent 21 months in prison before the exchange was arranged.
Powers’ son, Francis Gary Powers Jr., spoke at Milligan a few years ago about his father. He told students that he considered his father a hero. He also wanted students to know more about the Cold War.
Jack Simpson, vice president for institutional advancement at Milligan, said the Cold War is a fascinating period in American history.
“So I think it’s with great pride that we can point to Francis Gary Powers as a Milligan alumnus and see that he’s being honored for his service and sacrifice to his country,” Simpson said.