President Kennedy Announces Release Of Rb-47 Crew Jfk Announces Release Of Us Airmen Captured By Soviets After Their Plane Was Shot Down Footage

PRESIDENT KENNEDY ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF RB-47 CREW JFK announces release of US airmen captured by Soviets after their plane was shot down.
This clip is not available for streaming at this time. Please contact WPA.	Tape Master:	8762
	Catalog #:	5591
	Clip Number:	5591-1
	Orginal Film:	UN 3461 A
	Timecode:
	Location:	Washington DC
	Year Shot:	1961 (Actual Year)
	Audio:	Yes
	Color:	No
	Headings:	JOURNALISM: Press Conference LOCATIONS/NORTH AMERICA: USA, Washington D.C. PERSONALITIES: Kennedy, John F ( JFK ) WAR & CONFLICT/COLD WAR: Incidents
	Description:	PRESIDENT KENNEDY ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF RB-47 CREW At a press conference on January 21, 1961, President John F. Kennedy (JFK) announces release of RB 47 crew. JFK speaking about the release by the Soviet Government of American airmen whose plane was shot down in July 1960 and his order to stop American flights over Russia. Washington DC, United States of America (USA). Various shots President Kennedy taking rostrum to give news conference. MS Kennedy about to speak, with cut-ins of newsreel cameramen. MS Kennedy speaking (natural sound) "I am happy to be able to announce that Capt. Freeman B. Olmstead and Capt. John R. McKone, members of the crew of the United States Air Force RB-47 aircraft who have been detained by Soviet authorities since July 1, 1960, have been released by the Soviet Government and are now en route to the United States. The United States Government is gratified by this decision of the Soviet Union and considers that this action of the Soviet Government removes a serious obstacle to improvement of Soviet-American relations. Our deepest sympathy and understanding go to the families of the men of the RB-47 who gave their lives in the service of their country. At the same time, I am sure that all Americans join me in rejoicing with the Olmstead and McKone families. The families, as well as the men, comported themselves in these trying times in a way which is truly in the best traditions of the military services of the United States. Restraint in these conditions is obviously not easy. But they can be assured that they have contributed in large measure to the final achievement of the objective which we all sought-release of the men." Kennedy answers a question from the press about overflights of the USSR, "The Soviet Government is fully aware of United States Government views with respect to the distinction between the question of the United States Air Force RB-47 and the incident which occurred over Soviet territory on May 1, 1960, involving an American U-2 type aircraft. Flights of American aircraft penetrating the air space of the Soviet Union have been suspended since May 1960. I have ordered that they not be resumed."