I agree with many here who give Powers the benefit of the doubt - if there is any remaining doubt. I recall, however, that while in AFROTC back in the 60's, my field grade USAF pilot instructors who just returned from SEA combat flying, were very critical of him. Mostly saying he should have used the needle to prevent release of classified information. I suppose the context of their remarks was their own combat experience over the North and perhaps even the continued use of U2 and SR71 in SEA.
I personally make no judgment of what Powers did, his own account seems to be reasonable. But I also can understand the position of my pilot instructors and what they considered a security risk to those still flying over the North. Interesting that one of the CIA U2 pilots returned to the USAF and ended up as a POW too. I wonder what his opinion Powers' performance was. If he was critical he may not have expressed it.