Cold War Spy Stories - The True Story of Jack Downey, America’s Longest-Held Prisoner of War

In this fascinating episode of the Spybrary Spy History Podcast, host Adam Brookes interviews Barry Werth author of Prisoner of Lies: Jack Downey's Cold War. This remarkable true cold war spy story of the longest-held prisoner of war in American history, John Downey, Jr., a CIA officer captured in China during the Korean War and imprisoned for twenty-one years. We invite you to join our host, author and former BBC reporter Adam Brookes, and guest Barry Werth on the Spybrary Spy History Podcast as they dive deep into the harrowing Cold War saga of Jack Downey in Prisoner of Lies. Grab Your Top 125 Spy Writers Ranked dossier! Ranked and with spy book recommendations. Discover the untold stories of espionage, resilience, and international diplomacy that shaped U.S.-China relations. Unveil the gripping narrative of Jack Downey's capture, imprisonment, and eventual release, set against a backdrop of covert operations, political machinations, and the enduring human spirit. Don't miss this thrilling exploration of "Prisoner of Lies" and the profound impact of espionage on international affairs in Barry Werth's latest book.

More about Jack Downey Jr.

In 1952, 23-year-old CIA officer Jack Downey Jr's mission took a devastating turn when his plane was shot down over Manchuria during the Korean War. Surviving the crash that claimed the pilots' lives, Downey and his fellow agent, Richard Fecteau, were seized by Chinese forces.

What followed was a grueling two-decade ordeal of interrogations, isolation, reeducation camps, and staged trials, as they were paraded as symbols of political propaganda. While other prisoners of war found freedom, Downey and Fecteau remained trapped, their fate tied to a diplomatic stalemate. It wasn’t until Nixon’s groundbreaking visit to China in 1971 that hope emerged, leading to Fecteau’s release that same year and Downey’s eventual return in 1973.

 

 Episode Summary:

In this riveting episode, Adam Brookes sits down with Barry Werth to delve into the extraordinary story of Jack Downey, a CIA officer captured and imprisoned in communist China during the height of the Cold War. Werth's meticulous research for his book Prisoner of Lies provides a gripping account of Downey Jr's endurance, complex diplomatic maneuvers, and early CIA covert operations.

Key Episode Highlights:

• Captured and Shackled: Discover the harrowing details of how CIA officer Jack Downey, Jr and was captured, shackled, and interrogated by the Chinese. Hear how he endured life in shackles and isolation, maintaining their resilience under harsh captivity conditions.
• Confession and Survival: Learn about Downey. Jr's strategic delay in confessing his CIA affiliation, spanning eleven months, and culminating in a 3,000-page document meant to obscure pertinent details amidst a surplus of information.
• Bureaucratic Blunders and Family Heartbreak: Understand the critical role of the US government's denial of Downey. Jr's involvement, how this impacted his detainment, and the anguish faced by the families.
• Negotiations and Diplomacy: Explore how the convoluted politics and diplomatic negotiations for their release spanned multiple US administrations, revealing the significant impact of these efforts on US-China relations leading up to their normalization in the early 1970s.
• Jack Downey Jr's Resilience: Barry Werth highlights Downey's unyielding spirit, maintaining rigorous routines and an idealistic outlook despite his prolonged imprisonment. His story underscores the importance of resilience and patriotism.
• CIA’s Early Covert Operations: Gain insights into the CIA’s early initiatives, the risks and challenges involved, and the broader historical context, including the Cold War tensions post-World War II and the initial failures of CIA operations.
• Influence of Yale: Reflect on Yale University's influence on Downey and his peers, shaping their leadership qualities and driving their patriotic stoicism, influenced further by the experiences and aftermath of World War II.

Special Segment:

Barry Werth discusses the complex and skilled diplomacy by President Nixon and Henry Kissinger, examining how Downey's release was eventually facilitated, signaling a subtle yet significant shift in US policy towards China.

Exclusive Look into the Book:

"Prisoner of Lies: Jack Downey's Cold War" by Barry Werth, offering an in-depth narrative and analysis drawn from extensive research and personal accounts.