Richard G. Fecteau (born 1927)[1] is an American Central Intelligence Agency operative who was captured by the People's Republic of China during a CIA-sponsored flight in the Korean War.

[2] News of the capture of Fecteau and John T. Downey reached the United States in November 1954, sparking a nearly two decade battle of wills between the U.S. and the PRC.

In December 1954 Radio Peking announced that Fecteau and Downey had been convicted of spying and were sentenced to 20 years and life imprisonment respectively.

[6] On hearing news of his release, his ex-wife Margaret (who had divorced him in 1951) stated that "the Chinese haven't been lying" about him being a CIA agent, but she recanted the statement the next day.

[8] In a press conference on 15 December he said that he had never given up hope of release, but had got so used to solitary confinement that he was unused to speaking, when asked if he was a CIA agent he replied "no comment.