FRANCIS GARY POWERS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05146953
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 31, 2017
• Case Number: F-2012-01678
• Publication Date: September 17, 1971

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I
I\TEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WA SHIN NO TON
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
September 17, 1971
32633
0 /147
GENERAL HUGHES
GENERAL HAI
Francis Gary Powers
This does not look like the sort of problem the NSC ought to
handle. I suggest the letter to the President be sent to
Defense for action with a copy to CIA.
Attachment.
�
SEp
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MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 15, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
General Haig
General Hughes
Francis Gary Powers
The attached letter to the President outlines Gary Powers efforts to receive
a full Air Force retirement.
The Department of Defense has a problem with this matter and has asked
for assistance. In essence, the Air Force feels that the action should be
theirs. But Defense feels that CIA should handle it. The CIA does not
agree.
Defense informs me that there is evidence that Powers is beginning to
strive for publicity for his book. In this connection, I understand that he
is currently receiving welfare payments in California. If this is true,
there is the obvious problem with the U2 spector being revived at a most
inappropriate time. In view of the involvement of the CIA and Defense, it
appears to me to be a matter for the NSC to handle.
I'd like to talk to you about it.
Attachment
�
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DT3
A005
1-ON
YANZ
5TAU5
J, KENNEDY
G. GROSZ
,NcHACL FLANAGAN
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Mr. President:
EDWARDS, EDWARDS 6. A HTON
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
SUITE SOO VALLEY NATIONAL HANK BUILDING
420 NORTH DRAW!) SOULEVAR
GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA 91203
August 31, 1971
AREA CODE 213
245 -945I
243 -4229
This office has been contacted by a valued client,
Francis Gary Powers, with reference to certain military retirement
benefits which have recently been denied to him, This letter is an
attempt to set forth facts we feel are sufficient to entitle Mr. Powers
to the military retirement which has been accorded to his contem-
poraries without dispute. �
Since you were Vice President of the United States at
the time Mr. Powers U-2 airplane was shot down over Russia, lam
sure you are well aware of many of the facts which I am about to
relate,
In May of 1956, Mr. Powers resigned from the United
States Air Force to join the Central Intelligence Agency as a pilot
in connection with U-2 spy flights. Mr. Powers had been in the Air
Force since 1950. At the time Mr. Powers became employed with
the Agency, he and all other C.I.A. pilots signed a contract with
the Air Force that upon completion of their duties as employees of the
Agency, they would be permitted to return to the Air Force with credit
given for all time spent in the Agency, including a credit towards
military retirement.
As you know, on May 1, 1960, Mr. Powers was shot down
over the Soviet Union after nearly four years of service in the C.I.A..
During the next twenty-one months following Mr. Powers' capture, he
remained a Russian prisoner. Since Mr. Powers has returned from
the Sov,iet Union, he has received commendations from both the United
States Senate and the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as the
Intelligence Star for his conduct with the C.I.A.. All indications from
government sources with knowledge of the facts involved confirm that
Mr. Powers performed his obligations both courageously and in the
best interests of national security.
�
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The President
August 31, 1971
Page Two
Upon being informed that the government did not intend
to honor its contract with Mr. Powers so far as crediting his time in
the C.I.A. against the time required for his retirement, he elected to
accept a job secured for him by the C.I.A. as a test pilot in private
industry. During at least some petition of his service with Lockheed
Aircraft Corporation, he was paid by funds specifically supplied
through the Central Intelligence Agency for that purpose.
When Mr. Powers returned from Russia, he was offered
$150,000 by a national publishing company to sell exclusive rights to
his story on the U-2 incident. At this time, he contacted the Central
Intelligence Agency to obtain a reaction from them as to whether or
not he should accept this offer. He was told that he should not since
it would not be in his nor in the United States' best interests.. He
complied with this request despite the enormous financial loss to
himself and his family.
Recently, when Mr. Powers published his book entitled
Operation Overflight, he submitted the entire manuscript to the C.I.A.
for review, and made each of the changes which they requested.
Mr. Powers was recently informed that three individuals who partici-
pated in the U-2 intelligenceflights with Mr. Powers and who had
comparable time in service prior to entering the C.I.A., have been
granted full retirement from military service despite the fact that
none of the three individuals involved returned to the Air Force after
leaving in 1956. The three individuals referred to have been working
under the cover of private industry since returning to the United States.
It is believed that these individuals were paid by the Central Intelligence
Agency up to the time they were granted their Air Force retirement.
The point of this entire letter is that I am Linable to under-
stand why Mr. Powers, who has made such a tremendous sacrifice for
his country, is being denied those benefits on retirement that are being
accorded to others under similar circumstances. Mr. Powers has
played by all of the rules. He has lived, since 1960, with the personal
tragedy of the U-2 incident. He has foregone substantial economic
reward at the request of the government. Why, then, has the government
refused, to honor its commitment to Mr. Powers and failed to accord him
the same benefits as are accorded to his contemporaries, many of whom
have paid far less of a price?
In addition, since the publication of his book, Operation
Overflight, Mr. Powers has found it extremely difficult to obtain
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� The President
i.%ugust 31, 1971
Page Three
employment in private industry where government influence appears
to have been asserted against him.
� Since Mr. Powers layoff from Lockheed Aircraft
Corporation, Lockheed has rehired three former C.I.A. U-2 pilots
to perform in the same capacity as Mr. � Powers prior to the layoff.
None. of these individuals had worked for Lockheed previously.
Mr. Powers was never given an opportunity to be rehired for any
of these positions. It appears on the surface that Mr. Powers is
being punished for some reason, and I am at a loss to figure out
why.
I sincerely request that this matter be investigated.
I seek your advice in an attempt to avoid further �injury to this man.
Mr. Powers is a loyal American who has made
enormous sacrifices for his country. I refuse to believe that his
country is so entirely ungrateful.
Very truly yours,
JKS:mr
AR DS, EDWA S 6 ASI-IT.,ON
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' k MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
32633
September 17, 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR: GENERAL HAIG
FROM: TOM LA TIMER
SUBJECT: General Hughes Memo on
Francis Gary Powers
Attached is a memo to you from General Hughes (Tab B) stating
that Defense does not want the action on a letter to the President
from Powers 1 attorney (Tab C) requesting retirement pay from
the Air Force for his client. Defense believes CIA should handle
the letter while the Air Force feels the action should be theirs.
General Hughes thinks the NSC ought to handle the case and
wants to talk to you about it.
The NSC hardly seems the appropriate body to adjudicate
retirement claims, even by Francis Gary Powers. CIA and the
Air Force ought to be able to work out between them what is an
equitable settlement in this case.
A memo from you to General Hughes is at Tab A suggesting that
the letter be sent to Defense for action with a copy to CIA.
RE COMMENDATION
That you sign the memo at Tab A.
Attachments.
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