Francis Gary Powers Jr.

Francis Gary Powers Jr. is a historian, author, and Cold War expert focused on preserving and interpreting 20th-century American history. Powers is the founder and chairman emeritus of The Cold War Museum, a nonprofit organization located at Vint Hill, Virginia, dedicated to honoring Cold War veterans, preserving Cold War history, and educating the public about this era. The museum, initially affiliated with Smithsonian Institution, began as a traveling exhibit on the U-2 Incident before establishing a permanent location at Vint Hill Farm Station, a former Army communications base near Washington, D.C. As chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Cold War Theme Study, Powers has collaborated with the National Park Service and Cold War historians to identify and preserve historic Cold War sites.

Powers is the son of CIA U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, whose shootdown over the Soviet Union became a defining episode of the Cold War. After his father's death, Powers researched the U-2 Incident, leading to the U.S. government posthumously awarding his father the POW Medal and the Silver Star. Powers has spent decades addressing misinformation about the incident and honoring his father's legacy.

As an author, Powers has written and co-authored several books and graphic novels, including "Spy Pilot," "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," "Enemy Territory: The Story of the American CIA U-2 Pilot Francis Gary Powers," and "The Berlin Airlift: Remember the Humanity." "Spy Pilot," co-written with historian Keith Dunnavant, draws on personal files, audio tapes, letters, and CIA debriefing transcripts. "Cold War Virginia," created with Christopher Sturdevant, highlights Virginia's role in U.S. Cold War history.

Powers has also contributed to the film industry, serving as a consultant for Steven Spielberg's "Bridge of Spies," which depicts the 1962 spy exchange involving his father and KGB agent Rudolf Abel. He frequently discusses the U-2 Incident, Cold War espionage, and historical accuracy in public programs and lectures.

Powers serves as a board member of the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum near Omaha, Nebraska, and as an honorary board member of the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, a master's degree in public administration with certification in nonprofit management, and a master's degree in U.S. history. Powers has lectured internationally for more than 35 years, focusing on Cold War history, the U-2 Incident, and the importance of honoring veterans. His work with The Cold War Museum and his public speaking have been featured on C-SPAN, History Channel, Discovery Channel, and A&E.