11. The Cuban Missile Crisis included the death of one US Serviceman
The Cuban Missile Crisis led to a direct confrontation between the United States Navy and Air Force with units of the Soviet Navy, Merchant Marine, and anti-aircraft systems. The Soviets were supported by their Cuban allies. The crisis involved the Soviet installation of medium and long-range nuclear missiles on the island of Cuba, which allowed them to strike most of the United States faster than the early warning systems could respond. America learned of the existence of the missiles from U-2 overflights, conducted by the CIA and USAF. As the Americans and Soviets faced each other down in the United Nations, in negotiations between the Kennedy Administration and the Soviet leadership, and at sea on the quarantine line, USAF U-2 flights over Cuba continued. The crisis was averted when the Soviets agreed to withdraw the missiles.
The United States flew numerous U-2 missions over Cuba during the crisis. USAF Major Rudolf Anderson flew six of them. The Cuban Missile Crisis is widely remembered as a confrontation between the superpowers resolved by diplomacy and strength, without the loss of life. It was resolved and took the Soviets and the United States back from the brink of nuclear war. But it was not casualty free. Major Anderson flew his sixth mission of the crisis on Saturday, October 27. He was shot down by a Soviet-made SAM while over Banes, Cuba. His fate was unknown until October 31, when UN Secretary U Thant announced he had been informed of Anderson’s death by Cuban authorities while visiting Fidel Castro. His body was returned by Cuba in early November. The only American casualty of the Cuban Missile Crisis is yet another largely forgotten casualty of the Cold War.
