American military pilot (1929-1977) who attained worldwide notoriety in 1960 when the U-2 spy plane he was piloting was shot down over the Soviet Union. Powers was killed in 1977 when the news helicopter he was flying ran out of fuel and crashed a few miles from the airport. Personal check, 6 x 2.75, filled out and signed by Francis Gary Powers, "Francis G. Powers," payable to Newsweek for $6.98, February 22, 1974. In fine condition. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder, grading the autograph as "GEM MT 10."
