About Jonas Pleškys
Lived 1935 – 1993 (aged 58). Jonas Pleškys was a Russian and American military officer and programmer, known for Tom Clancy.
Jonas Pleškys (March 10, 1935 – April 12, 1993) was a Soviet Navy barge captain who defected from the Soviet Union to the United States in April 1961. As a captain of a barge, he directed his vessel to Gotland, Sweden, where he asked for political asylum. The crew and the barge were returned to the Soviet Union. His defection served as an inspiration for Tom Clancy's book The Hunt for Red October.
Biography Early life Pleškys was born on March 10, 1935, near Tverai in western Lithuania to Juozas Pleškys and Barbora Rapalytė Pleškienė, a family of landless peasants.
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Jonas Pleškys?
Soviet naval commander (1935–1993)
When was Jonas Pleškys born?
Jonas Pleškys was born on 10 March 1935 in Giliogiris.
When did Jonas Pleškys die?
Jonas Pleškys died on 14 April 1993 in Alameda.
What was Jonas Pleškys's occupation?
Jonas Pleškys was a military officer and programmer.
What was Jonas Pleškys known for?
Jonas Pleškys was known for Tom Clancy.
What nationality was Jonas Pleškys?
Jonas Pleškys was Russian and American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jonas Pleškys. https://biography.guide/jonas-pleskys/
MLA: "Jonas Pleškys." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jonas-pleskys/.
Chicago: "Jonas Pleškys." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jonas-pleskys/.
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