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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Military and Veteran Services welcomed Francis Gary Powers Jr. to campus on Thursday, July 17, as part of its Author Talk series.

Powers Jr. is the co-founder of The Cold War Museum, located in Vint Hill, Va., and the son of renowned U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers. During the event, Powers Jr. centered the discussion on “Spy Pilot: Francis Gary Powers, the U-2 Incident, and a Controversial Cold War Legacy,” co-authored with Keith Dunnavant.

“It was such an honor to have Francis Gary Powers Jr. here at SIUE,” said Telisha Reinhardt, assistant director of Military and Veteran Services. “The MAVRC Author Talks bring stories and histories to campus that should never be forgotten. The experiences of Francis Gary Powers and the U-2 Incident are complex and layered. Most importantly, this is a story of redemption. It is an American story—a family story—of a son setting the record straight about a father that he loved and admired.”

During the presentation, Powers Jr. recounted his father’s journey from CIA recruitment to becoming a reconnaissance pilot, flying high-altitude Lockheed U-2 aircraft over the Soviet Union between 1956 and 1960. He detailed the events of Sunday, May 1, 1960, when Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the USSR, in what became known as the “U-2 Incident,” revealing the extent of the U.S. aerial surveillance during the Cold War.

Powers Jr. narrated his father’s escape from the damaged aircraft and safe parachute landing into hostile territory, recounting the split-second survival decisions the pilot made before the crash.

“Francis Gary Powers was a pivotal part of Cold War history. He grew up as an ordinary, hardworking man who later found himself at the center of global friction between two economic and political superpowers,” said Reinhardt.

The capture and later release of the elder Powers led to enduring controversy. Powers Jr. has dedicated decades of his life to correcting misinformation surrounding the incident and honoring his father’s legacy. Through The Cold War Museum, Powers Jr. educates the public on Cold War history and has been featured on C-SPAN, the History Channel, Discovery Channel and A&E. Powers Jr. also served as a consultant for the Steven Spielberg film “Bridge of Spies,” which depicted the spy exchange that secured his father’s release.

“SIUE was incredibly fortunate to host this powerful event and welcome Francis Gary Powers Jr. to campus,” said Kevin Wathen, EdD, director of Military and Veteran Services. “It was an honor and privilege to meet him and hear firsthand the moving story of his father’s legacy. His dedication to honoring his father’s service and sacrifice continues to inspire, and we’re grateful he shared that journey with our community.”

In addition to “Spy Pilot,” Powers Jr. has authored or co-authored several books, including “Letters from a Soviet Prison: The Personal Journal and Private Correspondence of CIA U-2 Pilot Francis Gary Powers,” “Protecting America: Cold War Defensive Sites,” “Cold War Virginia,” and the graphic novels “Enemy Territory: The Story of the American CIA U-2 Pilot Francis Gary Powers” and “The Berlin Airlift: Remember the Humanity.”

To learn more about Francis Gary Powers Jr., visit garypowers.com. To learn more about The Cold War Museum, visit coldwar.org.

PHOTO: Francis Gary Powers, Jr.