Gerry Patrick Hemming Discusses Francis Gary Powers’ Doomed U2 Flight

In this conversation, I convey information to Gerry Patrick Hemming from the former Chief of Special Operations, Colonel L. Fletcher Prouty, USAF regarding Gary Powers’ U2 flight.

Colonel Prouty served 23 years in the military, 9 of which were spent in the Pentagon. In 1955 he was appointed: Focal Point Officer, as per National Security Council Directive 5412. As such, Prouty became the first official liaison between the Air Force and the CIA in support of Global Clandestine Operations. Then, in 1960-61, he was appointed: Briefing Officer for the Secretary of Defense and for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Prouty’s perspective was much different from that of Hemming, as were his sources of information. Although this conversation becomes tedious at times due to differences in trivial matters, such as, the various nicknames given the U2 camera, Lundahl vs Land, for example, there may be value in contrasting perspectives and comparing notes.