More than fifty years after his U-2 Dragon Lady high altitude reconnaissance aircraft was shot down over the former Soviet Union, former US Air Force Capt. Francis Gary Powers posthumously received the Silver Star during a Pentagon ceremony on 15 June 2012. Powers, who died in a civilian helicopter crash in 1977, was cited for heroism displayed while being held as a captive by the Soviets from May 1960 to February 1962. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the medal to Powers' grandson, Francis Gary Powers III, and granddaughter, Lindsey Berry. before more than 100 family members, friends, and service members. The Silver Star, awarded since 1932, is the third highest US military decoration for valor in combat.
